Case report: Navigating the challenges: successful mechanical thrombectomy in a case of persistent primitive hypoglossal artery.

Persistent primitive hypoglossal artery (PPHA) is a highly uncommon abnormal connection between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and vertebral artery (VA), with reported incidences ranging from 0.027 to 0.26%. Attempting endovascular intervention in such cases presents a considerable challenge as it carries a higher risk of embolization and other procedure-related complications that may affect a wide area of the brain. We present a case study involving the utilization of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) to treat an ischemic stroke in the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) despite the presence of PPHA. Performing mechanical thrombectomy in an anomalous vascular connection is feasible; however, it necessitates heightened vigilance, thorough knowledge of the anatomy, and utmost caution.

Evaluation of aquifer parameters through integrated approach of geophysical investigations, pumping test analysis and Dar-Zarrouk parameters in the central part of Bari Doab, Punjab, Pakistan.

In the central part of Bari Doab in Punjab Province of Pakistan, the factors such as sporadic rainfall pattern, decrement of water in rivers, subsurface salinity and excessive mining of groundwater have badly affected the hydrogeology and recharge system of aquifer. The present research work is an endeavour to evaluate the characteristics and potential of aquifer for its future sustainable availability within the study area of central part of Bari Doab. The geophysical studies, pumping tests data, borehole logs and Dar-Zarrouk parameters were used integrally to evaluate the aquifer hydraulic and hydrologic parameters in the study area. VES technique of geophysical investigations using Schlumberger electrodes configuration was carried out at sparsely distributed 435 locations. Litho-logs and VES results altogether decipher that the subsurface alluvial succession is primarily composed of intermixed layers of sand, gravel, clay, silt and some kankar inclusions. The VES data allied with pumping test analysis of test wells in the study area were used to evaluate the aquifer hydraulic properties. Comparatively low values of discharge rate, hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity were evaluated in two wells whilst relatively higher values of these parameters were evaluated in rest of six wells. The results of hydrologic parameters also confirm the results of hydraulic parameters in the wells. Finally, the Dar-Zarrouk parameters were used for the estimation of hydraulic parameters for whole study area and the aquifer zones of relatively high and low potential were delineated.

Clinical manifestations and outcome of patients with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in Pakistan. A single-center experience.

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rapidly progressing central nervous system (CNS) infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater. The disease progression is very rapid, and the outcome is nearly always fatal. We aim to describe the disease course in patients admitted with PAM in a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan between the periods of 2010 to 2021. A total of 39 patients were included in the study, 33 males (84.6%). The median age of the patients was 34 years. The most frequent presenting complaint was fever, which was found in 37 patients (94.9%) followed by headache in 28 patients (71.8%), nausea and vomiting in 27 patients (69.2%), and seizures in 10 patients (25.6%). Overall, 39 patients underwent lumbar puncture, 27 patients (69.2%) had a positive motile trophozoites on CSF wet preparation microscopy, 18 patients (46.2%) had a positive culture, and 10 patients had a positive PCR. CSF analysis resembled bacterial meningitis with elevated white blood cell counts with predominantly neutrophils (median, 3000 [range, 1350-7500] cells/µL), low glucose levels median, 14 [range, 1-92] mg/dL), and elevated protein levels (median, 344 [range, 289-405] mg/dL). Imaging results were abnormal in approximately three-fourths of the patients which included cerebral edema (66.7%), hydrocephalus (25.6%), and cerebral infarctions (12.8%). Only one patient survived. PAM is a fatal illness with limited treatment success. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment can improve the survival of the patients and reduce mortality.

Safety and reliability of artificial CO2 augmentation method in comparison with standard apneic oxygenation method for brain death determination.

INTRODUCTION: The most commonly used apnea test for determination of brain death is the apneic oxygenation method. While all the commonly used apnea tests have associated complications, artificial CO2 augmentation has been reported to have fewer complications. However, data supporting the use of the latter method is limited. METHODS: We identified 102 patients who underwent brain death testing during the last ten years. Artificial CO2 augmentation apnea testing was used in 50 of these patients while 52 patients underwent standard apneic oxygenation apnea testing. RESULTS: No significant differences between the two groups were noted in any previously considered clinical outcomes, including hypoxemia, acidemia, or shock. However, shorter duration of apnea testing was observed in the artificial CO2 augmentation method suggesting its feasibility to the standard apneic oxygenation method in terms of convenience and reduction of the risk surrounding prolonged hypercapnia and hypoxemia. CONCLUSION: This retrospective cohort study provides further observational evidence to support the safety of alternate apnea testing techniques with the standard apnea method for determination of brain death in adults.

National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Correlates Well with Initial Intracerebral Hemorrhage Volume.

OBJECTIVES: The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) currently publicly reports hospital-quality, risk-adjusted mortality measure for ischemic stroke but not intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The NIHSS, which is captured in CMS administrative claims data, is a candidate metric for use in ICH risk adjustment and has been shown to predict clinical outcome with accuracy similar to the ICH Score. Correlation between early NIHSS and initial ICH volume would further support use of the NIHSS for ICH risk adjustment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 372 ICH patients enrolled in a large multicenter trial (FAST-MAG), the relation between early NIHSS and early ICH volume was assessed with correlation and linear trend analysis. RESULTS: Overall, there was strong correlation between NIHSS and ICH volume, r = 0.77 (p < 0.001), and for every 10cc increase in ICH the NIHSS increased by 4.5 points. Correlation coefficients were comparable in all subgroups, but magnitude of NIHSS increase with ICH unit volume increase was greater with left than right hemispheric ICH, with presence rather than absence of IVH, with imaging done within the first hour than second hour after last known well, with men than women, and with younger than older patients. CONCLUSION: Early NIHSS neurologic deficit severity values correlate strongly with initial ICH hematoma volume. As with ischemic stroke, lesion volume increases produce greater NIHSS change in the left than right hemisphere, reflecting greater NIHSS sensitivity to left hemisphere function. These findings provide further support for the use of NIHSS in risk-adjusted mortality measures for intracerebral hemorrhage.

Depression and the Use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Patients with Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Introduction Depression is a common psychiatric complication associated with stroke. However, while most studies focus on post-stroke depression (PSD) subsequent to ischemic strokes, fewer studies have specifically explored depressive symptoms and the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The aim of our study was to identify the incidence and factors associated with depression in ICH patients and the use of SSRIs as therapy by physicians at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients with ICH through the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) coding system electronic medical records of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Patient records spanning a period of five years at the hospital were identified and analyzed by neurology residents. Patients' clinical, laboratory, radiological, and pharmacological data were recorded and analyzed using a structured proforma. Patients with a past history of depression or those who were taking SSRIs at the time of admission were excluded from the analysis. Depression was defined as the presence of five or more symptoms according to the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Results Out of the 458 patients we analyzed, 258 (56%) were men and 200 (44%) were women. The mean age was 59 years. Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission was 13 (range: 0-42), and the median modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was 4 (range: 0-6). On neuroimaging, sites of hemorrhage in patients were found to include the basal ganglia/thalamus in 279 (61%) patients, cerebral cortex in 105 (23%), cerebellum in 25 (5%), brain stem in 17 (4%), ventricles in 17 (4%), and multiple sites in eight (2%). We found that 48 (10%) patients had a ventricular extension, and 130 (28%) had midline shift, hydrocephalus, or both. Overall, 103 (22%) patients met the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for depression. The most common depressive symptoms included tearfulness (67%), sadness (55%), and loss of interest or pleasure in life activities (53%). None of the patients reported suicidal ideation. Only seven patients (2%) were seen by a psychiatrist. The presence of depression was not significantly associated with hemorrhage sites [prabability value (p): 0.55] or the extent of disability (p: 0.09). Among the 103 depressed patients, only 25 (24%) received SSRIs during the hospital stay. A total of 57 (12%) received SSRIs during the hospital stay, of which only 25 had met the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for depression. The mean duration between the diagnosis of ICH and the start of SSRIs was five days (range 3-25 days). None of the patients received any psychotherapeutic help for depression. At the time of discharge, only 13 (13%) of the 103 patients diagnosed with depression were discharged on SSRIs, while 23 that had not met the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were discharged on SSRIs. Conclusion The present study demonstrates that depression is not uncommon in acute ICH patients, and it is both underdiagnosed and inadequately treated. Physicians should be trained to accurately identify and effectively treat depressive symptoms in ICH patients. Clear guidelines should be developed to aid the diagnosis and treatment of post-ICH depression in hospital settings.

Use of Arterial Spin-Labeling in Patients with Aneurysmal Sub-arachnoid hemorrhage.

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) due to cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has long been recognized as a major source of morbidity and mortality. Early detection of cerebral vasospasm and identification of patients who are likely to become symptomatic is crucial to guide aggressive medical and/or endovascular interventions. Magnetic resonance imaging using arterial spin-label (ASL) is a noninvasive mean for assessing cerebral blood flow and is based on direct magnetic labeling of arterial blood water protons. The diagnostic role of ASL in acute ischemic stroke, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders has been explained in multiple studies but its ability to predict vasospasm in aSAH has not been published before. The purpose of this study is to highlight the diagnostic implications of different perfusion patterns of ASL in patients with aSAH which can be utilized to prevent DCI in such patients when other commonly used modalities are not available, contraindicated, or fail to detect vasospasm.

Clinical neurophysiology of multiple system atrophy.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is an adult-onset, rapidly progressive neurodegenerative syndrome. The diagnosis of MSA is primarily clinical. Neurophysiologic studies can provide important clues to the diagnosis of MSA and differentiate it from other neurodegenerative diseases especially when the clinical picture is unclear. This chapter reviews common and less common neurophysiological studies useful in the diagnosis of MSA.

Neuroimaging Findings in Tuberculosis: A Single-Center Experience in 559 Cases.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is a paucity of literature related to the neuroimaging of CNS tuberculosis (TB) and largely covers pediatric CNS TB. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of different forms of CNS TB and its associated complications and to study longitudinal disease course using computed tomography (CT) and MRI. METHODS: Retrospective chart and imaging review of patients diagnosed with CNS TB in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan over a 10-year period. A total of 452 initial brain MRI and 209 CT scans were reviewed by an expert radiologist specialized in neuroimaging. This was followed by review of 53 MRI/52 CT and 7 MRI/14 CT first and second follow-up scans, respectively. RESULTS: Note that 559 patients, 296 males and 263 females were included in the study. On the initial CT scans, tuberculomas were found in 25 (12%), infarction in 54 (25%), basal meningeal enhancement in 29 (14%), and hydrocephalus in 84 (40%). On initial MRI, tuberculomas were found in 182 (40%), infarction in 120 (27%), basal meningeal enhancement in 184 (41%), and hydrocephalus in 116 (26%). On review of follow-up CT scans, 13 (25%) showed new or worsening hydrocephalus, 8 (15%) showed new infarcts, 1 exhibited new tuberculoma, and 5 showed worsening cerebral edema. On review of follow-up MRI scans, new or worsening hydrocephalus was seen in 3 (6%), new infarcts in 3 (6%), new tuberculoma in 10 (19%), worsening cerebral edema in 7 (13%), and TB myelitis in 4 (8%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculoma, hydrocephalus, and cerebral infarcts are the most prominent findings in CNS tuberculosis. Our study showed development of new lesions on subsequent neuroimaging suggesting a dynamic and progressive nature of the disease process in some individuals.

Frequency and Impact of Cerebral Infarctions in Patients With Tuberculous Meningitis.

Background and Purpose- Cerebral infarctions complicate a variable proportion of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) cases and adversely affect outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictors of cerebral infarcts in patients with TBM and to assess their impact on mortality. Methods- The study was based on a retrospective chart review of all patients with TBM admitted to a tertiary care hospital between 2002 and 2013. Data were collected on basic demographics, conventional vascular risk factors, radiological findings, severity of TBM, and neurological outcomes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19.0. Binary logistic regression was done to determine the factors predictive of cerebral infarcts and of mortality in patients with TBM. Results- A total of 559 patients were admitted with TBM during the study period. Mean age was 41.9 years (SD, 17.7 years), and 47% were women. A quarter of the patients had stage III disease. One hundred forty-four (25.8%) patients had cerebral infarcts on brain imaging of which 3 quarters were acute or subacute. Those with cerebral infarcts were more likely to be >40 years of age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.7) and to have hypertension (AOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-2.8), dyslipidemia (AOR, 9.7; 95% CI, 3.8-24.8), and diabetes mellitus (AOR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.6). Presence of cerebral infarction was an independent predictor of mortality among patients with TBM (AOR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.22-3.5). Conclusions- Cerebral infarcts complicate a substantial proportion of TBM cases. Conventional vascular risk factors are the most important predictors of infarction, and future efforts need to focus on these high-risk patients with TBM to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Acute Ischemic Stroke in a Young Woman With No Known Risk Factors.

INTRODUCTION: We aim to highlight a potentially morbid consequence of foam-sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicose veins. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 41-year-old woman with no significant medical history who presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of focal neurologic deficits. She had undergone varicose vein treatment with foam sclerotherapy 2 days prior. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed acute cerebellar infarct. Computed tomography angiography was unremarkable. Transesophageal echocardiography showed the presence of a very small patent foramen ovale. DISCUSSION: Transient neurologic symptoms reported in patients undergoing venous foam sclerotherapy might have been transient ischemic attacks or acute ischemic strokes. The risk of these neurologic complications should be explained to all patients undergoing foam sclerotherapy so they can make an informed decision of screening echocardiography prior to the procedure. CONCLUSION: Onset of neurologic symptoms can be immediate or delayed in patients undergoing venous foam sclerotherapy. Early recognition of neurologic deficits resulting from paradoxical gas embolism and its treatment with hyperbaric oxygen can prevent permanent disability.

Current Status and Future Suggestions for Improving the Pharm. D Curriculum towards Clinical Pharmacy Practice in Pakistan.

Objectives & Background: Good curriculum is reflected as the backbone for standard universities to develop competitive professionals having great potential. Pharmacy education in Pakistan has gone through the same developmental stages as in other countries, but is still striving for improvement. In the present study, we want (i) to know the opinion on whether the current pharmacy curriculum requires any improvement in order to meet the training needs of pharmacy professionals regarding clinical knowledge and pharmacy practice; and (ii) to present some humble suggestions to decision-making authorities in order to improve it with respect to patient-focused programs (PFP). Methods: The study was conducted in two sessions. In first session, a questionnaire was distributed to pharmacy students of eight public/private sector universities of Karachi (N = 354) offering Pharm. D degrees. The second session dealt with the pharmacy teachers, deans, and practicing pharmacists in health care facilities (who are in any ways also related to academia), in order to take their opinions on and suggestions for the development of a better Pharm. D curriculum (N = 135). Results: Our results showed that 75.2% of respondents agree that the Pharm. D curriculum does not meet the international standards of practice, and 88.4% of respondents support the addition of more clinical aspects than industrial ones, as Pharm. D could be both clinically and industrially oriented, according to the needs of the Pakistani people. Furthermore, 80.2% of respondents are of the view that an apprenticeship should be included in last two years, while 88.4% demand a 'paid residency program' to facilitate the hospital, clinical and compounding areas of pharmacy. In addition, we also received a number of verbal suggestions for improving the Pharm. D curriculum being followed in Pakistan. Discussion & Conclusions: We conclude that our Pharm. D curriculum needs additions in terms of clinical practice by providing residencies and electives in health care settings. Accordingly, the need for a clinically oriented curriculum is highlighted in Pakistan, keeping in mind the continuing importance of the industrial viewpoint. Various studies have criticized the pharmacy curriculum in Pakistan in the past. Conversely, we suggest some changes in the curriculum, as change is always needed for a better tomorrow.

Acute visual loss in a patient with spinal cord injury.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), especially those with injury at and above T6, are prone to transient episodes of hypertension induced by noxious triggers below the level of SCI, known as autonomic dysreflexia (AD). An uncommonly reported presentation of AD is posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old male with the history of paraplegia from SCI presented with sepsis secondary to baclofen pump and urinary tract infections. On hospital day 4, he developed acute bilateral vision loss. The next morning he had a generalized-tonic-clonic seizure followed by cardiac arrest, with return of spontaneous circulation following resuscitation. Magnetic resonance imaging brain demonstrated multifocal areas of hyperintensity on T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence, most pronounced in the occipital lobes. Systolic blood pressures (SBP) were under 180 mmHg throughout hospital stay but above his baseline (SBP 90 mmHg). PRES was diagnosed on the basis of clinical and radiologic evidence. With strict blood pressure (BP) control, there was resolution of visual abnormalities, headaches, encephalopathy, and seizures. DISCUSSION: Although PRES has been most commonly described in malignant hypertension, it can be seen in patients with normotension or moderate hypertension who have low baseline BPs, such as patients with SCI. These patients are prone to AD due to imbalanced sympathetic outflow to vasculature below the level of injury caused by noxious stimulus. This results in massive regional vasoconstriction leading to an uncontrolled rise in BP above baseline. This episode of PRES could have been prevented by identifying patient's risk, recognizing early signs and potential triggers of AD, and implementing aggressive treatment of the underlying noxious stimuli.

Seizure Prophylaxis in the Immediate Post-Hemorrhagic Period in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Seizures are a well-known complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and occur most commonly in the immediate posthemorrhagic period. Most commonly used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for seizure prophylaxis in aSAH include phenytoin and levetiracetam. There is no reliable data available on the safety and efficacy of restricting AED prophylaxis only till the aneurysm is secured. METHODS: We retrospectively chart reviewed patients admitted to our neurosciences intensive care unit (NICU) with aSAH during the past two years. Seizure incidence was studied in patients treated with phenytoin versus levetiracetam and in patients treated for 3-7 days vs. those where AED was discontinued immediately after aneurysm was secured. RESULTS: In 28 patients, AED prophylaxis was discontinued immediately after the aneurysm was secured, and in 21 patients, it was continued for 3-7 days. Of the 28 patients who received AED prophylaxis for less than or equal to two days, phenytoin was used in 20 patients and levetiracetam was used in eight patients. In patients receiving AED prophylaxis for 3-7 days, phenytoin was used in eight cases and levetiracetam was used in 13 cases. None of these patients had seizures reported during hospitalization or at three-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Stopping the AED prophylaxis immediately after aneurysm coiling is not associated with increased risk of seizures. Seizures at presentation in patients with aSAH are not associated with development of epilepsy at three months. Both phenytoin and levetiracetam are well tolerated in patients with aSAH when limited to the immediate posthemorrhagic period.

Prosthetic Aortic Valve Endocarditis with Left Main Coronary Artery Embolism: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

CONTEXT: Coronary embolization is potentially a fatal sequela of endocarditis. Although the primary cause of acute coronary syndrome is atherosclerotic disease, it is imperative to consider septic embolism as an etiological factor. CASE REPORT: Herein, we report a case of ventricular fibrillation and ST-segment depression myocardial infarction occurring in a patient who initially presented with fever and increased urinary frequency. Coronary angiography revealed new 99% occlusion of the left main coronary artery (LMCA). Transesophageal echocardiography showed bioprosthetic aortic valve with an abscess and vegetation. Histologic examination of the embolectomy specimen confirmed the presence of thrombus and Enterococcus faecalis bacteria. Subsequently, the patient was discharged to the skilled nursing facility in a stable condition where he completed 6 weeks of intravenous ampicillin. CONCLUSION: We present a rare case of LMCA embolism due to prosthetic valve endocarditis. The present report also highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with such patients.

QRS fragmentation: its role in sherlocking the arrhythmogenic heart.

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a commonly available basic diagnostic modality in in-patient, out-patient, and emergency departments. In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), the presence of a fragmented QRS (f-QRS), which is an extra R wave (R'), notching of the single R wave, notching of the S wave in at least two contiguous leads on the 12-lead ECG, is associated with a myocardial scar from previous myocardial injury. Furthermore, the presence of f-QRS has been shown to be associated with adverse outcomes in CAD and non-CAD patients. In the present paper, we will solely focus on the usefulness and utilization of f-QRS in predicting ventricular tachyarrhythmia in many heart diseases, that is, ischemic cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, Brugada syndrome, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. In the majority of such cases, ventricular tachyarrhythmia results in sudden cardiac death. Diagnosing them beforehand can lead to prevention and/or early treatment of these arrhythmias to prevent potential morbidity and mortality.

Fibrocartilaginous embolism: a comprehensive review of an under-studied cause of spinal cord infarction and proposed diagnostic criteria.

BACKGROUND: Most spinal cord infarctions are due to aortic pathologies and aortic surgeries. Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE) has been reported to represent 5.5% of spinal cord infarctions. Some believe that FCE is more common than presumed and is rather under-diagnosed due to vagueness surrounding its clinical presentation. METHOD: A literature search was conducted for case reports of FCE published before August 2014. PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register and Google Scholar were searched for different combinations of the key words "fibrocartilaginous, "nucleus pulposus", "embolism", "spinal cord", "inter-vertebral disc", "infarction", "stroke", "paraplegia", "quadriplegia", "myelopathy". RESULT: Fifty-five case articles were reviewed, ten of which were translated from foreign languages. A total of 67 cases of FCE were found, 41 tissue-confirmed and 26 clinically suspected. A comprehensive summary of the clinical anatomy, patho-physiologic mechanisms, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of FCE is described, along with the conflicting opinions on its incidence and relevance after reviewing all of the related literature. The 41 tissue proven cases are summarized and a schematic approach to the clinical diagnosis of FCE, deducted from their clinical findings, is presented. CONCLUSION: FCE of the spinal cord, often mis-diagnosed as transverse myelitis, may be more common than presumed. Future research into FCE, including the development of a chondrolytic therapy that can be given empirically upon its clinical suspicion to acutely reverse its symptoms, may be of value.

Nonthrombotic Pulmonary Embolism: A Potential Complication of Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Cosmetic Injection.

Context. Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) has gained importance as a synthetic soft tissue filling agent. It has been commonly employed by physicians in Europe for facial contouring and soft tissue augmentation. Previously, PAAG is considered nontoxic and well tolerated with a few mild procedural complications. Case Presentation. A 26-year-old female was hospitalized for dry cough, worsening dyspnea, and chest discomfort after 3 hours of multiple PAAG injections in buttocks. The patient's condition deteriorated and rapidly advanced to acute respiratory failure. Therein, the diagnosis of nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism (NTPE) was established on standard set of investigations. She was intubated; corticosteroid and empiric antibiotic therapy was initiated resulting in improvement of her condition. Subsequently, extubation was done, and she was discharged from the hospital after an uneventful recovery. On 1-month follow-up, the patient had no previous symptoms. Conclusion. This report implicates clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for NTPE in patients presenting with respiratory symptoms following PAAG usage.