Cocaine-induced rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome.

A man in his 30s with a history of cocaine and intranasal heroin use presented to the emergency department with severe leg pain and weakness. Physical examination findings were significant for tachycardia, absence of dorsalis pedis pulses, tense and painful calf muscles along with absence of plantar reflexes in bilateral lower extremities. Laboratory investigations were significant for positive urinary drug screen for cocaine, severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. Given the absence of dorsalis pedis pulses in bilateral lower extremities and radiological evidence of oedematous changes in calf muscles with perimuscular oedema, a diagnosis of compartment syndrome was made. He was treated with bilateral lower extremity four-compartment fasciotomies and haemodialysis for acute kidney injury. Rhabdomyolysis has been attributed to cocaine use; however, compartment syndrome is a very rare complication, especially in the absence of trauma or prolonged immobilisation.

Laryngeal myxoedema: a literature review of an uncommon complication of hypothyroidism.

A 59-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with shortness of breath. She had significant oropharyngeal swelling obstructing her upper respiratory tract. A diagnosis of laryngeal myxoedema was made, which was attributed to severe hypothyroidism. She required invasive ventilation and subsequently a tracheostomy. She was treated with levothyroxine and hydrocortisone. She completely recovered with this therapy. In this review, we will discuss similar cases and different therapeutic options. This case also highlights the fact that establishing a diagnosis of laryngeal myxoedema, a condition that can potentially have lethal outcomes and can be challenging.

Chylothorax: complication attributed to dasatinib use.

A 63-year-old woman with a medical history of chronic myelogenous leukaemia treated with dasatinib, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction presented with difficulty in breathing. Chest X-ray showed large right-sided pleural effusion, which was confirmed on a CT angiogram of the chest. Echocardiogram showed an ejection fraction of 61% with moderate to severely dilated right ventricle and right ventricular systolic pressure of 60 mm Hg. Diagnostic and therapeutic thoracentesis was performed, and 2.2 L of pleural fluid was removed. Pleural fluid analysis was consistent with chylothorax. Significant symptomatic improvement was noted after thoracentesis. In the absence of an alternate explanation, chylothorax was attributed to dasatinib, which was switched to nilotinib. This resulted in resolution of her pleural effusions.

Overutilisation of imaging studies for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: are we following the guidelines?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if imaging studies such as CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan are ordered according to the current guidelines for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational cohort study in all adult patients who presented to the Sparrow Hospital Emergency Department from January 2014 to December 2016 and underwent CTPA or V/Q scan. We calculated the Wells' score retrospectively, and d-dimer values were used to determine if the imaging study was justified. RESULTS: A total of 8449 patients underwent CTPA (93%) or V/Q scan (7%), among which 142 (1.7%) patients were diagnosed with PE. The Wells' criteria showed low probabilities for PE in 96 % and intermediate or high probabilities in 4 % of total patients. Modified Wells' criteria demonstrated PE unlikely in 99.6 % and PE likely in 0.4 % of total patients. D-dimer was obtained in only 37 % of patients who were unlikely to have a PE or had a low score on Wells' criteria. Despite a low or unlikely Wells' criteria score and normal d-dimer levels, 260 patients underwent imaging studies, and none were diagnosed with PE. CONCLUSION: More than 99 % of CTPA or V/Q scans were negative in our study. This suggests extraordinary overutilisation of the imaging methods. D-dimer, recommended in patients with low to moderate risk, was ordered in only one-third of patients. Much greater emphasis of current guidelines is needed to avoid inappropriate utilisation of resources without missing diagnosis of PE.