IntroductionUnilateral absence of the pulmonary artery (UAPA) or pulmonary artery agenesis is a rare congenital disorder presenting with a wide spectrum of symptoms. The clinical presentation is variable and many patients can be asymptomatic for many years and even throughout their lives.Case presentationWe report the case of a 53-year-old African-American woman who was diagnosed with right pulmonary artery agenesis after presenting with uncontrolled asthma and recurrent bronchopulmonary infections.ConclusionIn an unexplained case of recurrent respiratory infections and shortness of breath, the possibility of a rare congenital anomaly like UAPA should be considered and an appropriate evaluation should be done.
An elderly patient with progressive dementia presented with nonspecific symptoms of fatigue, skin discoloration, shortness of breath, and altered mental status. She quickly developed respiratory failure requiring emergent endotracheal intubation. Initial laboratory results revealed methemoglobinemia levels greater than 30% with blood appearing black in hue. The etiology of her acute symptoms and the inciting substance of the disease was an ongoing discussion with the patient's family, which ultimately revealed accidental ingestion of lava lamp fluid as the cause. Although rare, methemoglobinemia is a medical emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. When a thorough history fails to reveal a possible source, alternative origins should be investigated, such as household products.
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