1/22. Severe mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.Four cases of severe mycoplasma pneumoniae infection are reported which were treated in a single hospital over the course of 4 years. The difficulties in the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infections are eminently demonstrated by these cases. Because of the fact that it generally takes 2-o weeks to make this diagnosis, the physician must utilize clues of limited reliability. If gram stains and culture of sputum fail to demonstrate any bacterial pathogen and the patient has a chest X-ray compatible with this diagnosis as well as a white blood count less than 15,000/mm3, M. pneumoniae infection may be present. A good antimicrobial choice in such a situation is erythromycin.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/22. An unusual procedure for the treatment of simultaneous pericardial and pleural effusions.BACKGROUND: Symptomatic posterior pericardial effusion (PE) represents a diagnostic challenge since it is not easy to quantify by echocardiography. In addition, this type of effusion is normally treated by surgery because of the difficulty in drainage. CASE: A 59-year-old male presented a symptomatic circumferential PE following mitral valve substitution. Two days after a successful percutaneous subcostal pericardiocentesis, he reported severe dyspnea with hypotension and pulsus paradoxus. At chest x-rays, he showed a left pleural effusion; echocardiography, also performed from the left posterior axillary line, showed a large posterior PE and a large pleural effusion separated by a membrane. A needle was inserted at the fourth intercostal space 2 cm medially to the left posterior axillary line and advanced into the pleural and then into the pericardial cavity under echocardiographic guidance. Serous-hemorrhagic fluid was drained from the pericardial (800 cc) cavity and, after retraction, from the left pleural cavities (600 cc), with consequent hemodynamic improvement. CONCLUSION: Pleuro-pericardiocentesis may represent a valid alternative to surgery for the treatment of cardiac tamponade due to posterior pericardial effusions, in the peculiar situation characterized by the simultaneous presence of a left pleural effusion. This procedure should be performed by qualified physicians under echographic guidance.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/22. Profiles in patient safety: sidedness error.This case describes a 45-year-old woman with significant respiratory distress secondary to a left-sided pleural effusion that mandated an urgent thoracentesis. An adverse event occurred when the physician performed the procedure on the incorrect side of the patient. Results of the incident investigation followed by a discussion of medical errors models, common errors types, human factors considerations, and conditions that contribute to error are presented. Pertinent case-specific and general concepts of a system approach to reduce this type of medical error are discussed, and educational recommendations are offered.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/22. Isolated unilateral pleural effusion as the only manifestation of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.Isolated unilateral pleural effusion is uncommon presentation of ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome. The pathogenesis of this syndrome involved an increased permeability of the ovarian capillaries and of the mesothelial vessels triggered by the release of vasoactive substances by the ovaries under human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation. Early recognition of this unusual presentation of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome should allow for physicians to ensure a better and minimally invasive management of these potentially pregnant patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/22. Milky-white pleural effusion complicating peripherically inserted central venous catheter for total parenteral nutrition.pleural effusion secondary to vascular perforation and leakage of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a rare complication of central lines. We report such a case and urge physicians to familiarize with recognition and management of this rare complication as both TPN and central catheter lines are widely used techniques.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/22. Cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung presenting in adulthood.Cystic adenomatoid malformation is an uncommon embryonic developmental abnormality usually diagnosed in neonates and infants. Its presentation in adulthood is rare, with only 27 cases reported up to now. Due to its rarity, it is seldom suspected and adult physicians are not familiar with its clinical and radiologic features. We report two cases of cystic adenomatoid malformation presenting in adults, one as a recurrent pneumonia, and another as a coincidental finding on a chest roentgenogram. We describe the clinical features, radiologic and computed tomographic findings, and the histopathologic characteristics in this article, along with a review of the literature.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/22. ascites, pleural effusion, and CA 125 elevation in an SLE patient, either a Tjalma syndrome or, due to the migrated Filshie clips, a pseudo-meigs syndrome.BACKGROUND: The combination ascites, pleural effusion, and elevated CA 125 are usually associated with a malignancy. CASE: A 38-year-old SLE patient consulted her physician for shortness of breath. On clinical examination, she had a tender abdomen and reduced breathing sounds. X-ray and computed tomography of the chest showed pleural effusion. An adjustment of her SLE maintenance therapy was performed. Vaginal ultrasound and computed tomography of the abdomen revealed massive ascites and an intracavitair myoma of 2 cm, but no obvious mass in the pelvis. CA 125 was 887 U/ml. A laparoscopy was performed showing ascites and 2 Filshie clips embedded in the peritoneum of the vesicouterine pouch, but no sign of malignancy. Both clips were removed. The cytology of the aspirated ascites showed sings of acute inflammation. Within 10 weeks, the pleural effusion was resolved and the CA 125 normalized. CONCLUSION: The combination of ascites, pleural effusion, CA 125 elevation, and no tumor in an SLE patient is either a Tjalma syndrome or due to the migrated Filshie clips a pseudo-meigs syndrome.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/22. Parapneumonic empyema. A pitfall in diagnosis.Two patients eventually shown to have empyema were encountered in which the initial thoracentesis revealed fluid compatible with either a simple or a complicated parapneumonic effusion. In both cases, the diagnosis of empyema was made by a second thoracentesis done at a close interval of time from a different site. Therefore, the physician should approach parapneumonic effusions systematically, and remember that in some cases, multiple thoracenteses may be required to make the correct diagnosis of an empyema.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/22. Pleural aspergillosis with bronchopleurocutaneous fistula and costal bone destruction: a case report.A 65-year-old man who, when young, had had tuberculosis treated by therapeutic pneumothorax, consulted his family physician for a constitutional syndrome and dyspnea. At this time radiologic studies showed left pleural effusion with bilateral calcified plaques, an infiltrate in the upper left lobe, and a picture compatible with aspergilloma, all suggesting semi-invasive aspergillosis. The patient failed to show up for his followup visit, so no therapy could be started or further diagnostic tests ordered. One month later he was admitted to this hospital for a bronchopleural fistula (empyema necessitatis) with subsequent spontaneous hydropneumothorax and costal bone involvement. The patient underwent surgery because of his rapid worsening condition. biopsy examination revealed a large pleural aspergilloma. Despite immediate antifungal therapy, the patient died. We believe this to be the first report of pleural aspergillus with a bronchopleurocutaneous fistula and costal bone destruction.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/22. Tension hydrothorax and shock in a patient with a malignant pleural effusion.A patient presented to the emergency department with a malignant pleural effusion associated with shortness of breath, and radiographic evidence of mediastinal shift and hypotension. Tube thoracostomy yielded serosanguinous pleural fluid under pressure and after 1 liter of fluid was drained, the patient's hemodynamic status stabilized. The entity of tension hydrothorax is rare but may be life threatening. The treatment should consist of prompt drainage and efforts to prevent recurrence. As physicians become more adept at prolonging the lives of patients with cancer, tension hydrothorax may become more common.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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