1/5. Fatal cerebral embolism in a young patient with an occult left atrial myxoma.We report a young patient with a fatal cerebral embolism from an occult atrial myxoma. The patient died before echocardiography was performed and at autopsy the definite diagnosis was made. Our patient suffered from migraine of increasing frequency. The physical exercise of sexual intercourse was the precipitating factor of this fatal embolism. The importance of early echocardiography is stressed, especially in view of the recent tendency of early and aggressive stroke treatment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Cerebral and coronary air embolism: an intradepartmental suicide attempt.Uncooperative but alert on arrival, a 21-year-old suicidal man was found suddenly unconscious with agonal respirations 2 h into his Emergency Department evaluation. Initially admitted for ingesting multiple pills and self-inflicting a deep wrist laceration, the patient now had a glasgow coma scale score of 3, a dense left-sided hemiplegia, and an electrocardiogram suggestive of acute myocardial infarction. This constellation of physical findings, together with an echocardiogram revealing bi-ventricular gas artifact, led to a diagnosis of coronary and cerebral air emboli. The patient was urgently resuscitated and then underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Subsequent examination confirmed a full recovery. This article details this unprecedented case, as well as clinically relevant aspects of air embolism.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. central nervous system lesions associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia--three case reports.Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is easily overlooked in patients with central nervous system (CNS) lesions. Our clinical experience of three patients with CNS lesions associated with HHT stresses the importance of considering HHT. A 23-year-old male presented with consciousness disturbance and right hemiparesis. Emergency cerebral digital subtraction angiography revealed occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery and the left anterior cerebral artery. Pulmonary arteriography showed three pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). A 62-year-old male presented with consciousness disturbance and sensory aphasia. magnetic resonance imaging revealed a ring-enhanced lesion in the left temporal lobe which was removed by left frontotemporal craniotomy. The diagnosis was brain abscess. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed two pulmonary AVMs. A 32-year-old female presented with progressive mild weakness in her left hand. Initial CT showed subcortical hemorrhage in the right frontal lobe. cerebral angiography revealed no vascular malformations, but chest CT disclosed five pulmonary AVMs. All three patients had a family history of HHT. The possibility of HHT is important to consider in patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) or brain abscess to prevent complications, not only in the patients but also their blood relatives. Therefore, the medical and family history of patients with CVD or brain abscess should be investigated and HHT should be considered during the physical examination.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. stroke rehabilitation therapy in a patient with a cardiac pacemaker for chronic atrial fibrillation.A 65-year-old man was implanted with an artificial pacemaker for chronic bradycardic atrial fibrillation associated with hypertensive heart disease. Five years after the pacemaker implantation, he suffered from a cerebral embolism. Approximately 4.5 months after the ictus, he was transferred to the rehabilitation ward. He had flaccid left hemiplegia and severe disuse syndrome. He could not sit and could tilt his head up for only two minutes because of severe orthostatic hypotension. By modulating the rate-responsive mode of the pacemaker every 2-4 weeks, we were able to rehabilitate the patient. Thus, the patient could sit in a wheelchair for more than three hours. This case emphasizes the importance of examining the mode and function of a previously implanted artificial pacemaker. In accord with varying rehabilitation programs and gradual improvement in a patient's physical activities, periodic modulation of a programmable pacemaker can lead to a better functional outcome during rehabilitation therapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. Victim of fashion: endocarditis after oral piercing.A case report of endocarditis after tongue piercing is presented. body piercing is a form of self-expression that is achieving greater acceptance and wider practice in modern society. Even in healthy individuals, significant health risks exist with this type of physical adornment. Despite this fact, no significant regulatory mechanisms are currently in place to guide practitioners of this craft or to protect the recipients of body piercing. Medical professionals should join the american dental association in their opposition of the practice of intraoral/perioral piercing and should call for the development of legislation protecting the recipients of such practices, particularly the population of young people in whom this type of body art is becoming increasingly prevalent.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |