While splenic complications like hypersplenism, sequestration crisis, and infarction are commonly reported in sickle cell variants like sickle cell beta-plus thalassemia, splenic rupture with hematoma is rare. We present a case of a 32-year-old young male who presented with dull left upper quadrant pain who was found to have multiple subcapsular splenic lacerations and hematoma on abdominal imaging. Hemoglobin electrophoresis confirmed sickle cell beta-plus thalassemia in the patient. There was no history of trauma, and rest of the workup for possible cause of spontaneous rupture of spleen was negative. With the patient refusing splenectomy, he was managed conservatively. Clinicians need to be aware of this rare complication of sickle cell variants.
Renal and neurological involvements are frequently seen in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Cardiac involvement, however, has been rarely reported. In this article, we present 2 cases of myocardial infarction in patients with TTP. In the first case, a young man presented with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction that resolved promptly with plasmapheresis. The second patient developed ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction early in the course of the disease and died before plasmapheresis could be initiated. Hence, a high degree of suspicion with prompt diagnosis and treatment is needed to prevent mortality associated with cardiac involvement in TTP.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is regularly associated with hyperkalemia that results in well-described changes on the electrocardiogram (EKG). However, ST-segment elevations on EKG mimicking acute myocardial infarction have rarely been described in the setting of DKA. Here we present a case of a 43-year-old male with DKA who had pseudoinfarction pattern of ST-segment elevation on EKG that resolved with treatment of DKA and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma around the condition.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.