Among the pertinent differentials for hypercalcemia, milk-alkali syndrome remains a diagnosis of exclusion following a thorough workup of other severe causes. However, several key signs may increase a clinician's index of suspicion for possible milk-alkali syndrome, including a prolonged history of antacid ingestion. Milk-alkali syndrome commonly presents with a classic triad: hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and acute kidney injury. The diagnostic workup should include evaluation of both serum and urine calcium levels, serum phosphate levels, and other hormones (parathyroid hormone, vitamin D). In the case of a confirmed diagnosis of milk-alkali syndrome, rapid correction of calcium levels is of utmost importance. We present the case and workup of an individual presenting to the emergency room with hypercalcemia, acute kidney injury, and several key systemic symptoms. Given a significant history of antacid overuse, and a thorough diagnostic workup, a diagnosis of milk-alkali syndrome was made and the patient was treated accordingly, making a full recovery. We review this rare case and important clinical pearls regarding milk-alkali syndrome.
Purpose:
To report the clinical presentation and outcomes in patients with Valsalva retinopathy.
Methods:
This was a retrospective case series of patients diagnosed with Valsalva retinopathy between June 1, 2010, and May 31, 2020. Clinical notes, operative reports, fundus photography, and optical coherence tomography images were reviewed.
Results:
This study comprised 58 eyes of 58 patients. The most common causes were lifting (34.4%), vomiting (20.6%), straining (20.6%), and coughing (17.2%). Mean best-corrected visual acuity at diagnosis was 20/163. The most frequently involved vitreoretinal compartment was the subhyaloid space (42.3%) followed by the intraretinal (32.7%), intravitreal (23.1%), and subretinal (13.4%) spaces. Mean best-corrected visual acuity of all patients was 20/59 at 3 months, 20/48 at 6 months, and 20/22 at 1 year. Mean time to clearance of hemorrhage on clinical examination was 99.0 ± 18.7 days in patients who underwent observation and 4.5 ± 3.5 days after surgery in patients who received pars plana vitrectomy.
Conclusion:
Valsalva retinopathy is generally associated with a favorable visual prognosis. Most eyes perform well with observation although pars plana vitrectomy may be indicated in patients requiring rapid resolution of hemorrhage.
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