Fat embolism mimicking pulmonary embolism: A case report.

Fat embolism syndrome is a rare clinical entity. The diagnosis is largely clinical, with the imaging studies supporting the clinical diagnosis. Here we present the case of a 19-year-old boy who presented with a tibial fracture and developed sudden onset shortness of breath on the following day. His clinical and investigation findings were suggestive of acute respiratory distress syndrome with fever, tachycardia, and tachypnea along with acute hemoglobin and platelet drop with positive fat globules. According to two clinical criteria, his diagnosis of fat embolism was established. The diagnostic dilemma arose when S1Q3T3 was seen in the electrocardiogram raising a doubt whether it could be a pulmonary embolism.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease associated with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, which was originally described in young women, is a benign condition characterized by necrotizing lymphadenitis and fever. Even though the clinical course is usually self-limiting, it can be associated with recurrences and rarely can be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus or can be complicated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. We report the case of a 17-year-old Sri Lankan Sinhalese schoolboy who presented with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy diagnosed as Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and was complicated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis subsequently. Later he fulfilled the criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus. CASE PRESENTATION: A 17-year-old previously healthy Sinhalese schoolboy presented with high-grade fever associated with chills and rigors associated with loss of appetite and loss of weight for more than 40 days. On examination, he had bilateral firm matted tender cervical lymphadenopathy and firm hepatomegaly. An excision biopsy of his right cervical lymph node revealed necrotizing lymphadenitis and immunohistochemistry of a lymph node biopsy favored Kikuchi disease. Initial antinuclear antibody and anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid tests were negative and his C3 and C4 levels were normal. An infections screening was negative. He was treated with steroids. While in hospital he developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and renal impairment. Later his antinuclear antibody titer became positive in 1:160 and fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus. He was managed with steroids and immune suppressive drugs and showed remarkable improvement. CONCLUSION: Although Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is uncommon in male patients, it needs to be considered in patients with lymphadenopathy and fever. The disease can be complicated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and the patients need continuous monitoring for the possible development of systemic lupus erythematosus later in the course.

Severe lactic acidosis and acute renal failure following ingestion of metformin and kerosene oil: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Kerosene is a freely accessible hydrocarbon used in Sri Lankan (and other Asian) households for cooking and for lighting lamps. Kerosene poisoning is rarely reported among adults and its toxicological effects are not well known. Metformin is a commonly used oral hypoglycemic drug and its overdose leads primarily to lactic acidosis. Combined poisoning of metformin and kerosene and their interactions have not been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: An 18-year-old, previously healthy, unmarried Sinhalese woman was referred following ingestion of 17.5 g of metformin and approximately 200 mL of kerosene oil in a suicide attempt. She had vomiting, burning epigastric pain, and a hypoglycemic seizure (capillary blood glucose of 42 mg/dL). Subsequently, she developed severe lactic acidosis followed by acute renal insufficiency, was treated with sodium bicarbonate, and underwent intermittent hemodialysis with bicarbonate. She recovered completely. CONCLUSIONS: This report proposes possible interactions that occur between metformin and kerosene that augment toxicity when the two are ingested together. It also stresses the importance of early treatment with intermittent hemodialysis in severe lactic acidosis with maintenance of blood glucose.