We report a fatal case of post-partum streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in a patient who was previously healthy and had presented to the emergency department with an extensive blistering ecchymotic lesions over her right buttock and thigh associated with severe pain. The pregnancy had been uncomplicated, and the mode of delivery had been spontaneous vaginal delivery with an episiotomy. She was found to have septicemic shock requiring high inotropic support. Subsequently, she was treated for necrotizing fasciitis, complicated by septicemic shock and multiple organ failures. A consensus was reached for extensive wound debridement to remove the source of infection; however, this approach was abandoned due to the patient’s hemodynamic instability and the extremely high risks of surgery. Both the high vaginal swab and blister fluid culture revealed Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus infection. Intravenous carbapenem in combination with clindamycin was given. Other strategies attempted for streptococcal toxic removal included continuous veno-venous hemofiltration and administration of intravenous immunoglobulin. Unfortunately, the patient’s condition worsened, and she succumbed to death on day 7 of hospitalization.
Methods: Sixty-six severe TBI patients who required emergency craniotomy or craniectomy and were planned for post-operative ventilation were randomised into NS (n = 33) and BF therapy groups (n = 33). The calculation of maintenance fluid given was based on the Holliday-Segar method. The electrolytes and acid-base parameters were assessed at an 8 h interval for 24 h. The data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA.Results: The NS group showed a significant lower base excess (-3.20 versus -1.35, P = 0.049), lower bicarbonate level (22.03 versus 23.48 mmol/L, P = 0.031), and more hyperchloremia (115.12 versus 111.74 mmol/L, P < 0.001) and hypokalemia (3.36 versus 3.70 mmol/L, P < 0.001) than the BF group at 24 h of therapy. The BF group showed a significantly higher level of calcium (1.97 versus 1.79 mmol/L, P = 0.003) and magnesium (0.94 versus 0.80 mmol/L, P < 0.001) than the NS group at 24 h of fluid therapy. No significant differences were found in pH, pCO 2 , lactate, and sodium level.Conclusion: BF therapy showed better effects in maintaining higher electrolyte parameters and reducing the trend toward hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis than the NS therapy during prolonged fluid therapy for postoperative TBI patients.
Venous air embolism (VAE) is the entrainment of air either from a surgical site or from the environment into the venous or arterial vasculature, which can subsequently cause systemic effects. Many cases are subclinical but large volume and high rate of accumulation of air entrainment are potentially life-threatening. The relative risk is high in sitting position craniotomy and posterior fossa surgery but low in burr hole neurosurgery such as in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. The authors report their experience of managing an unusual case of repeated VAE during both sides of burr-hole and electrode insertion in awake bilateral DBS surgery.
Renal artery aneurysm is a relatively uncommon form of renovascular disease. Early diagnosis by appropriate imaging is essential in order to avoid emergency nephrectomy for rupture. We report a 78 year old man who presented with gross hematuria. Doppler ultrasound and CT showed aneurysm of the right renal artery. Because of hemodynamic instability, right nephrectomy was performed with a good outcome.
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