1/27. Asymptomatic ureteral varices: detection by Doppler sonography.Retroperitoneal ectatic or varicose veins may cause ureteral extrinsic pressure defects. Doppler sonography may be helpful in the characterization of these vascular lesions. We report the sonographic findings in a case of asymptomatic idiopathic left ureteral varices.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/27. enoxaparin associated with hugh abdominal wall hematomas: a report of two cases.enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin used for prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis. Indications include hip and knee replacement surgery, risk of deep venous thrombosis during abdominal surgery, and prevention of ischemic complications of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. Its efficacy in the prevention of the above complications has been previously studied; however, the liberal use of enoxaparin is not without incident. Complications of enoxaparin include hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, and local reactions. Since 1993 there have been more than 40 reports of epidural or spinal hematoma formation with the concurrent use of enoxaparin and spinal/epidural anesthesia or spinal puncture. Herein reported are two cases of abdominal wall hematomas in patients receiving prophylaxis with enoxaparin. Both patients sustained an unexplained fall in the hematocrit and abdominal pain. A CT scan confirmed the diagnosis. One patient recovered uneventfully; however, the other patient, on chronic hemodialysis, became hemodynamically unstable and hyperkalemic and sustained a fatal cardiac arrhythmia. An extensive review of the literature revealed no similar cases of abdominal wall hematomas associated with enoxaparin although other complications, including spinal and epidural hematomas, psoas hematomas, and skin necrosis have been reported. The extended use of enoxaparin as an anticoagulant requires the physician to be vigilant of these rare complications. Bleeding can occur at any site during therapy with enoxaparin. An unexplained fall in the hematocrit or blood pressure should lead to a search for a bleeding site.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/27. pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and 2',2'-difluorodeoxyuridine in a patient with ascites.Gemcitabine (dFdC) is a prodrug that undergoes metabolism by cytidine deaminase to form an inactive metabolite, 2',2'-difluorodeoxyuridine (dFdU). The pharmacokinetics of dFdC and dFdU have been studied; however, their disposition has never been evaluated in a patient with ascites. A patient with pancreatic cancer and malignant ascites was treated with dFdC 1,500 mg/m2 over 150 minutes weekly for 3 weeks, repeated every 4 weeks. Serial plasma and ascites samples were obtained on weeks 1 and 2 of cycle 2. High-pressure liquid chromatography was used to quantify dFdC and dFdU in plasma and ascites. The systemic dispositions of dFdC and dFdU were similar to those reported in patients without ascites. The concentration of dFdC in ascites approached 1 mg/ml. ascitic fluid did not serve as a depot for dFdC, and the agent's concentration in ascites approached that at which its phosphorylation is saturated.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/27. Psychosomatic disorders in pediatrics.Psychosomatic symptoms are by definition clinical symptoms with no underlying organic pathology. Common symptoms seen in pediatric age group include abdominal pain, headaches, chest pain, fatigue, limb pain, back pain, worry about health and difficulty breathing. These, more frequently seen symptoms should be differentiated from somatoform or neurotic disorders seen mainly in adults. The prevalence of psychosomatic complaints in children and adolescents has been reported to be between 10 and 25%. These symptoms are theorized to be a response to stress. Potential sources of stress in children and adolescents include schoolwork, family problems, peer pressure, chronic disease or disability in parents, family moves, psychiatric disorder in parents and poor coping abilities. Characteristics that favour psychosomatic basis for symptoms include vagueness of symptoms, varying intensity, inconsistent nature and pattern of symptoms, presence of multiple symptoms at the same time, chronic course with apparent good health, delay in seeking medical care, and lack of concern on the part of the patient. A thorough medical and psychosocial history and physical examination are the most valuable aspects of diagnostic evaluation. Organic etiology for the symptoms must be ruled out. Appropriate mental health consultation should be considered for further evaluation and treatment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/27. death due to bioterrorism-related inhalational anthrax: report of 2 patients.On October 9, 2001, a letter containing anthrax spores was mailed from new jersey to washington, DC. The letter was processed at a major postal facility in washington, DC, and opened in the Senate's Hart Office Building on October 15. Between October 19 and October 26, there were 5 cases of inhalational anthrax among postal workers who were employed at that major facility or who handled bulk mail originating from that facility. The cases of 2 postal workers who died of inhalational anthrax are reported here. Both patients had nonspecific prodromal illnesses. One patient developed predominantly gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The other patient had a "flulike" illness associated with myalgias and malaise. Both patients ultimately developed dyspnea, retrosternal chest pressure, and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. leukocytosis and hemoconcentration were noted in both cases prior to death. Both patients had evidence of mediastinitis and extensive pulmonary infiltrates late in their course of illness. The durations of illness were 7 days and 5 days from onset of symptoms to death; both patients died within 24 hours of hospitalization. Without a clinician's high index of suspicion, the diagnosis of inhalational anthrax is difficult during nonspecific prodromal illness. Clinicians have an urgent need for prompt communication of vital epidemiologic information that could focus their diagnostic evaluation. Rapid diagnostic assays to distinguish more common infectious processes from agents of bioterrorism also could improve management strategies.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/27. hypocalcemia-like electrocardiographic changes after administration of intravenous fosphenytoin.Fosphenytoin is a prodrug that is metabolized by phosphatases to yield the antiepileptic drug phenytoin plus inorganic phosphate. Thus, fosphenytoin can theoretically alter the electrocardiogram by 2 mechanisms: the direct effects of phenytoin on cardiac conduction and on phosphate binding of calcium, which could indirectly alter cardiac conduction as a result of hypocalcemia. We report the case of a 23-year-old man, weight 73 kg, with a known but untreated seizure disorder who was given prophylactic fosphenytoin, 1500-mg phenytoin equivalents over 85 minutes by intravenous infusion. The patient was normocalcemic before drug infusion. Fosphenytoin produced electrocardiographic changes (prolongation of the ST segment and the QT interval and merging of the T and P waves) consistent with hypocalcemia, and these changes were associated with new-onset reductions in both total and ionized serum calcium concentrations. plasma phenytoin concentrations were within the therapeutic range during the electrocardiographic changes, and the patient's blood pressure was stable. We interpret these findings as fosphenytoin-related electrocardiographic changes likely attributable to inorganic phosphate-induced hypocalcemia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/27. The silent worker.The patient in this case was diagnosed as having a myocardial infarction, exacerbated over time. It has been reported in medical literature that women in such cases may have atypical symptoms that mimic those of other medical conditions and deceive providers into misdiagnosis. A few women present with the classical chest pain, a symptom most people relate to a feeling of a heart attack. This symptom is more typical in males. EMS providers should have a high suspicion of heart disease in any patient who describes their symptoms as common or relative to acute coronary syndromes. patients at risk include those with high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, increased cholesterol, obesity and diabetes, among others. Given that this patient was resting comfortably and complaining of abdominal pain, the providers could have interpreted her symptoms as mere gastrointestinal discomfort. In this instance, that could have led to an error in diagnosis and serious complications. The receiving ED could have had a cardiac arrest to manage rather than an early, silent acute coronary event. In this instance, contacting medical command, obtaining a focused history and providing general treatment contributed to a positive outcome for the patient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/27. A painful pulsatile abdominal mass in a young man with elevated blood pressures: an unusual presentation of phaeochromocytoma.We report an unusual presentation of phaeochromocytoma in a young man with a painful, pulsatile abdominal mass and elevated blood pressures. This led to a delay in diagnosis and resulted in the administration of triggers of catecholamine release, possibly causing a catecholamine surge. This caused the development of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy and multiple organ failure, requiring inotropic and ventilatory support, intra-aortic balloon pump and dialysis. Fortunately, his condition reversed with supportive treatment and alpha-adrenergic blockade. This illustrates the importance of having a high index of suspicion of phaeochromocytoma, especially in young patients with elevated blood pressures.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/27. Acute occlusion of a simple aortic coarctation presenting as abdominal angina.A 9-year-old boy whose past history was remarkable for a heart murmur was diagnosed with abdominal angina due to acute occlusion of a simple coarctation of the aorta. Using a single cross-clamp, we accomplished an end-to-end anastomosis after resection of the coarctation. Paradoxical hypertension and abdominal angina were treated successfully with a continuous intravenous infusion of lipo-PGE-1 and nicardipine. Three years after his operation, the patient's blood pressure was normal, with no stenosis at the site of the anastmosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/27. Isolated retrovesical cyst hydatid in a child: an unusual presentation of echinococcosis.echinococcosis is the most widespread, serious human cestode infection in the world. Isolated retrovesical cyst hydatid is extremely rare in children and mostly causes symptoms because of its pressure on adjacent organs. We report on the case of an 8-year-old girl with an isolated retrovesical cyst hydatid. Final diagnosis was established after histological examination, whereas imaging techniques failed to establish the diagnosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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