1/19. splenic rupture associated with severe preeclampsia. A case report.BACKGROUND: splenic rupture is a very rare event complicating pregnancy. Approximately 5% of cases reported have involved the postpartum period. Unrecognized, this complication is universally fatal. CASE: Preeclampsia and pulmonary edema complicated a 42-year-old woman's intrapartum care. After cesarean delivery she was supported with mechanical ventilation, blood products and invasive monitoring. Shortly thereafter, she became hypotensive and developed disseminated intravascular coagulation. During exploratory laparotomy a splenic capsular rupture was identified. splenectomy and continued intensive care support ultimately reversed the severe end-organ consequences. CONCLUSION: It is extremely important that this condition be maintained in the diagnostic differential of post-operative hemodynamic instability. Failure to identify it is invariably fatal. awareness and intervention are essential to ensure a good outcome.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/19. Anticholinergics induce eclamptic seizures.Severe preeclampsia is a pathophysiological disorder specific to pregnancy and characterized by vasoconstriction and hypercoagulability. Eclampsia (convulsion associated with preeclampsia) and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count associated with preeclampsia (hellp syndrome) are serious complications in patients with severe preeclampsia. They are thought to be characterized by generalized vasoconstriction and reduction in blood flow to various organs that may be explained by increased sensitivity of the vascular smooth muscles and increased vasopressors. liver involvement in eclampsia and preeclampsia is referred to as hellp syndrome, and epigastric and right upper quadrant pain is often a symptom of severe preeclampsia and may be indicative of imminent convulsions. In addition, marked dilatation of the stomach and the colon is often demonstrated in these patients. These phenomena result from the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system but are not caused by the hyperactivity of the parasympathetic nervous system. The authors experienced two cases of eclamptic seizures after the administration of an anticholinergic (scopolamine butylbromide) in patients with severe preeclampsia complicated by hellp syndrome. Anticholinergics, blocking agents of the parasympathetic nervous system, can enhance the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system; therefore, vasospasms of the vessels may be easily aggravated, and eclamptic seizures may be induced in patients with severe preeclampsia, especially in those complicated by hellp syndrome. The administration of anticholinergics should be avoided in patients with severe preeclampsia, especially when there is epigastralgia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/19. An autopsied case of Eisenmenger syndrome complicated by recurrent thromboembolic phenomena in postpartal period.dyspnea, back pain, edema, and cyanosis developed suddenly in a 23-year-old woman during the last trimester of her first pregnancy. Although she had been noticed to have the enlarged heart and exertional shortness of breath to a slight degree, she had been apparently in good condition without any significant heart murmurs. Clinically, recurrent episodes of disseminated intravascular coagulation, including pulmonary thrombosis, were thought to be superimposed to Eisenmenger syndrome associated with toxemia of pregnancy. Anticoagulant and fibrinolytic treatments were tried, but their effectiveness was limited by hemorrhagic diathesis. She died of respiratory and circulatory failure after delivery of a moribund baby. autopsy revealed eisenmenger complex (a defect in the membranous portion of the interventricular septum and pulmonary vascular disease) and many fresh hemmorrhages in both lungs with a lot of new and organized thrombi. Fresh thrombi were also seen in the heart, the pancreas and the kidneys. The high peripartal mortality in Eisenmenger syndrome could be attributed to pulmonary thrombosis, which may be related to DIC, as well as to peripartal changes in circulatory function.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/19. Pancreatic necrosis associated with preeclampsia-eclampsia.CONTEXT: Acute pancreatitis during pregnancy is rare and commonly occurs in association with biliary disease. Preeclampsia is associated with microvascular abnormalities that may involve cerebral, placental, hepatic, renal and splanchnic circulation and rarely can cause acute pancreatitis. CASE REPORT: A case of acute pancreatitis in a patient with preeclampsia-eclampsia where the diagnosis was missed initially that resulted in a protracted course and development of organized pancreatic necrosis. The pancreatic necrosis resolved with conservative management over 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The development of severe hypoalbuminemia, out of proportion to proteinuria, hypocalcemia and findings of capillary leak should alert the physician to search for other inflammatory causes, including acute pancreatitis so that early and effective management be given to avoid complications.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/19. Severe preeclampsia presenting as third nerve palsy.Preeclampsia is a common complication of pregnancy and often manifests in severe cases with neurological symptoms. We present the first documented case of preeclampsia associated with third nerve palsy. A 19-year-old primigravida presented at 31 2/7 weeks' gestation with preeclampsia. In addition to classic preeclampsia symptoms, the patient had atypical visual disturbances. Exhaustive neurological and ophthalmological examinations revealed a third nerve palsy with no etiology other than preeclampsia. Deteriorating renal function necessitated preterm delivery. She ultimately underwent a cesarean section. Two months postpartum, the patient has shown complete spontaneous resolution of third nerve palsy. In this case of severe preeclampsia manifested by third nerve palsy, we hypothesize that the mechanism is attributed to vasospasm of the vessels supplying the oculomotor nerve.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 25.523888847627keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/19. Idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) in the immediate puerperium in a patient with mild preeclampsia: a case report.INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic peripheral facial palsy is the most common and frequent unilateral cranial neurological disorder characterized by an isolated facial nerve paralysis. CASE REPORT: We report a case of an idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) in the immediate puerperium in a patient with mild preeclampsia and diagnosed fetal IUGR. Additionally, the presence of Bell's palsy in the puerperium of the mother of our patient suggests a familiar tendency. DISCUSSION: Every gynaecologist and obstetrician should be aware of this quite uncommon complication during pregnancy and the puerperium. This case report illustrates that Bell's palsy can occur in the immediate post-partum after mild preeclamptic symptoms. For these women, a maternal surveillance can be recommended. A fast and accurate diagnosis with a subsequent immediate treatment might be very important in avoiding worsening of the symptoms and therefore improve the recovery prognosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2.8359876497363keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/19. Dizygotic twins discordant for early-onset citrobacter koseri and group B streptococcal sepsis.Early-onset neonatal sepsis is usually a multisystem fulminant illness with prominent respiratory symptoms, and typically the infant has acquired the organism from the maternal genital tract during the intrapartum period. In this article, we report a rare case of dizygotic twins where each individual suffered early-onset sepsis caused by a different pathogen. Group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis was diagnosed in twin A 1 day after birth; sepsis and meningitis caused by citrobacter koseri was diagnosed in twin B at the age of the 4 days. The mother developed pre-eclampsia and fever and the twins were delivered via cesarean section at 35 week's gestation. Twin A received ampicillin treatment for 14 days and recovered fully. Twin B was treated with ceftriaxone for 4 weeks and follow-up brain ultrasound revealed persistent enlargement of the bilateral-lateral ventricles. When empiric antibiotic is considered for the symptomatic twin of a sibling with early-onset GBS infection, samples of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) should be obtained for culture study before treatment. Adjustment of antibiotic treatment based on the results of cultures and CSF Gram stain and antibiotic susceptibility test is essential.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/19. Third nerve palsy and serous retinal detachment with preeclampsia.Visual disturbances occur more frequently during preeclampsia than during pregnancy in general, but visual disturbances due to cranial nerve palsy are rare. We present the case of a 35-year-old preeclamptic woman with left third nerve palsy and left serous retinal detachment. The patient complained of visual disturbance and double vision soon after cesarean section. Left third nerve palsy and left serous retinal detachment were diagnosed by urgent ophthalmologic evaluation. aneurysm and organic brain lesion were ruled out by diagnostic imaging. By 2 months postpartum, the visual disturbance had improved spontaneously.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 20.851913548154keywords = nerve, organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/19. Case report: epidural abscess in a parturient with pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP).PURPOSE: To describe the risk factors for epidural abscess (EA) formation following epidural analgesia in a parturient with pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP). CLINICAL FEATURES: A 33 yr-old gravida 2 nulliparous patient at 36 weeks gestation presented with severe pre-eclampsia, and PUPPP (treated with prednisone). magnesium prophylaxis was started and labour was induced. An epidural catheter was placed at the L(3-4) level using standard aseptic technique. bupivacaine was incrementally injected to achieve a T10 sensory level, and analgesia was maintained using a continuous infusion of 0.0625% bupivacaine with fentanyl. Nine days post-delivery, the patient developed back pain radiating to her right leg, but she was otherwise asymptomatic. She was afebrile; with a slightly tender, non-erythematous, non-draining, 1 cm nodule at the epidural catheter site. Motor and sensory examinations were normal at that time. However, the patient returned 24 hr later and further investigations revealed: WBC 17,800.mm(-3), platelets 486,000.mm(-3), erythrocyte sedimentation rate 50 mm.hr(-1), and c-reactive protein 8.8 mg.dL(-1). The magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an EA at the L(3-4) level causing minimal cord compression. The patient underwent an emergency decompressive laminectomy. Cultures revealed methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus. Her pain improved, and she was discharged on the third postoperative day with a six-week course of iv ceftriaxone. CONCLUSION: Causative organisms for EAs include coagulase-negative Staphylococci, S. aureus, and Gram-negative bacilli. infection can occur either hematogenously or by direct contamination during catheter placement. risk factors include immunocompromised states and PUPPP, as with the case of this patient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/19. plasma exchange for preeclampsia. I. Postpartum use for persistently severe preeclampsia-eclampsia with hellp syndrome.The postpartum use of plasma exchange with fresh-frozen plasma was assessed in a group of seven women with severe preeclampsia-eclampsia and hellp syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) that persisted greater than 72 hours after delivery. During the study interval in which a total of 107 gravid women with hellp syndrome were seen in our referral center, these seven patients (6.5%) demonstrated persistent thrombocytopenia (platelet count usually less than 30,000/mm3), rising lactic dehydrogenase (greater than 1000 IU/L) and evidence of multiorgan dysfunction. The seven case histories emphasize the variety of clinical and laboratory profiles that can be encountered in this small group of gravid women at risk for severe morbidity or mortality. Up to three 3 L plasma exchanges were required to effect permanent disease arrest and reversal. Utilization of the IBM 2997 Cell Separator system permitted bedside performance of procedures with enhanced convenience and optimal medical management. Successful plasma exchange was associated with (1) sustained increases in the mean platelet count at 24, 48, and 72 hours that were 2.2, 3.6, and 4.5 times the preexchange platelet counts and (2) a decreasing trend in lactic dehydrogenase concentrations below 1000 IU/L within 48 hours of exchange plasmapheresis. The current series of patients supports our recommendation that a trial of plasma exchange(s) with fresh-frozen plasma be considered for treatment of the infrequent postpartum case of hellp syndrome that fails to abate within 72 hours of delivery and in which other evidence develops of an ongoing, widespread, and life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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