Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy, recommended for superficial bladder tumors, triggers side effects in fewer than 5% of patients. Yet, when encountered, high level of suspition and early detection is essential for their succesfull management. In the present article, we present a case of severe sepsis and Steven Johnson syndrome in a male patient after intravesical BCG instillation.
Intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is frequently used as the treatment of choice for carcinoma in situ and non-invasive high-grade superficial tumor of the urinary bladder1. BCG is a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis and is the most widely used intravesical agent2. Adverse events occur in fewer than 5 % of cases, ranging from mild local symptoms to severe sepsis and death1-3. In the present article, we report a case of successful management of septic shock with concomitant Steven Johnson syndrome after intravesical BCG instillation and perform a short review of the relevant literature. Continue reading
Pericardial decompression syndrome (PDS) is a rare but eventually fatal syndrome, which occurs after pericardial drainage. In this report we describe a patient who suffered from cardiovascular collapse and pulmonary edema after pericardial drainage. A male patient aged 42yrs complained of progressive dyspnea over the past 2 months and presented with clinical signs of pericardial tamponade. The patient underwent a surgical subxiphoid pericardial drainage under general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. After pericardial drainage of 2.2lt, the patient was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, where he was extubated2 hours later. Immediately after extubation, he showed clinical signs of cardiovascular collapse and pulmonary edema. The patient was reintubated immediately and placed on mechanical ventilation. He was extubated after 12hrs. His postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged from the hospital after a few days. Continue reading
Anaesthetic management of patients with comorbidities can be challenging and requires rigorous planning. Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) do not compromise haemodynamics or pulmonary function. We present the management of a patient with symptomatic syringomyelia, severe pulmonary hypertension, thrombophilia and obstructive sleep apnoea undergoing hip fixation. Combined psoas compartment and sciatic nerve block was conducted and the patient remained stable perioperatively. She had an uneventful recovery and was discharged three days later. Patients with multiple comorbidities are subject to high perioperative risk and should be managed individually. Regional anaesthesia can be a last resort that leads to a better outcome. Continue reading
Though metformin is considered as first choice drug in type II diabetes, clinicians should be alert both for presence of potential contraindications to its use and to possible adverse reactions. Bad therapy compliance along and/or concomitant comorbidities may lead to serious toxicity. We hereby describe a case of extreme lactic acidosis- associated with metformin therapy- in an elder woman, managed with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Intensive Care Unit environment. Short review of the literature about the place of renal replacement therapy in such cases is also discussed. Continue reading
We present a case report concerning fatal bacteremia caused by Pantoeaagglomerans in a critically ill patient.
Pantoea is a genus of Enterobacteriacae Gram-negative bacteria family that includes at least 20 species; mostly isolated in the ecological niches.
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The case of a 33y old man is presented, who after a car accident, was transferred to the ED with a right hip dislocation and slightly obtunded but in a stable hemodynamic condition. After an emergent CT scan, a thoracic aortic rupture along with intestine rupture and retroperitoneal hematoma were noted. The patient was administered 1 g tranexamic acid (TXA) and 1 g fibrinogen concentrate (FC) preoperatively and then was transferred to the OR, where primarily, under monitored anesthetic care (MAC) the aortic trauma was restored intraluminally and then, under general anesthesia, he underwent laparotomy and hip dislocation reduction. During operation, no diffuse bleeding was noted, nor was any transfusion of blood or blood product necessary. After a short ICU stay the patient was discharged in good general health state. The aim of this case report is to present a case of traumatic aortic rupture bleeding, effectively managed with prophylactic tranexamic acid (TXA) and fibrinogen concentrate (FC) administration without need of any kind of transfusion. Continue reading
Central venous catheters (CVC) are an extremely usefull tool in clinical medicine. Yet, its placement and use is not without complication. In the present paper, a case report of Central venous catheter malposition is presented.
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Η βελτίωση των χειρουργικών τεχνικών αλλά κυρίως των χημειοθεραπευτικών σχημάτων αύξησε κατά πολύ την επιβίωση των ασθενών με κακοήθη νόσο των πνευμόνων. Οι ασθενείς που έχουν υποβληθεί σε θωρακοχειρουργική επέμβαση για κακοήθη νόσο πνευμόνων, έχουν αυξημένη πιθανότητα να υποβληθούν σε μια νέα διαγνωστική ή θεραπευτικήεπέμβαση, λόγω υποτροπής της αρχικής νόσου, ή εμφάνισης ενός δεύτερου πρωτοπαθούς όγκου του πνεύμονα.
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Adamantinomas are rare primary low grade malignant bone tumors’ (<1% of all bone cancers), which are usually located in tibial diaphysis. We present a case of lung metastasis in a 45 year old female who underwent left knee amputation because of tibial adamantinoma.
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The case describes a late presentation of Infantile Hypertophic Pyloric Stenosis in a 5 year old boy, and its management.
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