Hypercalcemia from cosmetic injections can be severe and life threatening and can present years after the initial procedure. Cosmetic injection-associated granuloma should be considered a cause of hypercalcemia, especially in middle-aged females presenting with non-PTH-mediated, non-malignant hypercalcemia, which is often associated with elevated calcitriol; however, it should be noted that calcitriol level may be normal as well.
Statin-associated necrotizing myopathy is a symmetric proximal muscle weakness associated with extreme elevations of CK. It is common in males and can occur after months of statin use. It is associated with necrosis on muscle biopsy and the presence of anti-HMG-CoA reductase antibodies. It usually requires discontinuation and immune suppression for resolution. Rechallenge with statin is unsuccessful in most cases.
APS should be considered in young patients with AMI, especially if previous unprovoked thromboses, lower platelet counts, high partial thromboplastin times, and normal coronary arteries or coronary thromboses are identified.
Background: Clozapine is a second-generation antipsychotic used in refractory schizophrenia. Clozapine can lead to pulmonary embolism (PE) by various mechanisms including immobility, weight gain and increased platelet aggregation. Objectives: We performed a systematic review on published cases of PE associated with clozapine. Methods: Comprehensive search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane library was done for relevant articles from inception until June 2017 Results: Total of 34 cases from 24 articles were included in the analysis. The mean age was 43.2 years with male predominance (63.6%). The mean dosage of clozapine was 281.4 mg daily. Duration of intake ranged from few days to many years. Nearly half of patients (47.82%) had no other co-morbidities for PE other than clozapine. For those reporting treatment, anticoagulation was chosen in 80%, thrombolysis in 10% and inferior vena cava filter placement in 5%. Mortality was 36.36% with three dying on presentation and an additional 9 dying during the follow-up period. Of the 18 patients in which follow-up data of clozapine were available, the drug was discontinued in 14 patients. Conclusion: PE can occur at doses lower than usual dose of clozapine (300 mg daily). It is important to consider this association especially in patients with no other risk factors for PE.
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a potentially life-threatening condition associated with recurrent episodes of muscle weakness and hypokalaemia due to hyperthyroidism. Diagnosis is often delayed or misdiagnosed due to its rarity in the western world and subtle features of hyperthyroidism on initial presentation. Here we present the case of a 25-year-old man who presented to the emergency department (ED) with sudden onset weakness of bilateral upper and lower extremities. His labs revealed hypokalaemia with elevated T4 and suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone and he was diagnosed with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis. He was treated with potassium repletion, atenolol and methimazole with complete reversal of his paralysis within the next day. Unfortunately, he failed to keep the follow-up appointment after discharge, ran out of his methimazole and landed up in the ED again.
Introduction: Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve (ViV) & valve-in-ring (ViR) are relatively novel
therapeutic alternatives for patients with degenerated bioprostheses or failed annuloplasty rings
whose reoperative risk is too high. The predominant procedural access for both procedures is
transapical or transseptal. However, whether there are differences in outcomes of this procedure
using transseptal versus transapical access has not yet been defined.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review of all published articles from MEDLINE and
EMBASE to explore the outcomes of these two procedural approaches.
Results:total of 55 studies including 183 patients (154 ViV and 29 ViR) were included. Patients
that underwent ViV (101 transapical and 53 transseptal) using the transseptal approach required
more iatrogenic atrial septal defect (ASD) closure (19% versus 0.0 %; P < 0.001) and hence had a
lower device success rate (68% versus 89%; P = 0.001). However, there was no significant difference
between the two groups in procedural success and all-cause mortality at 30 days. Overall severe
bleeding complications (major or life threatening) were not different the two groups (3.7% versus
7.9%; P = 0.321). In the ViR group (19 transapical and 10 transseptal), no difference in procedural
success, device success or 30-day outcomes were identified between transseptal and transapical
groups, although sample size was small.
Conclusion: In conclusion, mitral ViV and ViR using the two different procedural approaches appear to confer equal and reasonable 30-day outcomes.
Gonococcus typically affects the mucosal surfaces but in rare cases can spread to bloodstream causing disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). The usual presentation of DGI is rash, polyarthralgia, and tenosynovitis. We present the case of a 23-year-old female who presented to our hospital with pustular rash and tenosynovitis of hand and was sent home on Augmentin. Her symptoms worsened despite treatment and she presented back to the ED. On investigation, she was found to have DGI and was appropriately treated. DGI should be kept in mind in sexually active youngsters who have only one or two features of the classic triad of rash, tenosynovitis, and arthritis. Timely management and appropriate treatment of DGI is very important to avoid complications and morbidity.
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