A Rare Case of Susac's Syndrome Masquerading as Progressive-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.

Susac's syndrome (SS) is a rare, autoimmune-mediated vasculitis involving central nervous system (CNS) microvasculature, which typically targets the brain, retina, and cochlea. The disease pathology in these regions produces the characteristic triad of encephalopathy, visual loss, and hearing loss. Unfortunately, less than 20% of cases present as the full triad, often making diagnosis challenging. Diagnosis is also confounded by the similarity in the clinical presentation of multiple sclerosis (MS), with an overlap also seen in laboratory studies and radiographic imaging. In this report, we present a case of SS in a young and previously healthy adult male that was initially mistaken as MS. We review the characteristics of SS and highlight the key differences between the two diseases that can be used by diagnosing physicians. Lastly, we describe the treatment strategies involved in SS compared to MS.

Holding the Secret: A Rare Case of Nausea and Vomiting Due to Ligamentous Compression of the Celiac Axis.

Dunbar syndrome also known as median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) or celiac artery compression syndrome (CACS) is a rare syndrome resulting from the external compression of the celiac trunk from the median arcuate ligament. A 78-year-old female with multiple chronic conditions presented with intermittent, post-prandial epigastric pain associated with early satiety, decreased appetite for òne year. Multiple tests including gastric emptying scan and hepatobiliary scan with cholecystokinin (CCK) were normal. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) abdomen/pelvis showed thickening of a median arcuate ligament. Further imaging with end-inspiratory phase computed tomography (CT) angiography of the abdomen and 3D reconstruction of images, revealed approximately 1 cm length segment of proximal celiac arterial narrowing, measuring 70% maximally (at its origin) and characteristic hooked appearance of the proximal celiac artery with post-stenotic dilation diagnostic of MALS. Our case report emphasizes the importance of MALS in the differential diagnosis of chronic, intermittent abdominal pain.

Chilaiditi Syndrome: A Rare Case of Chest Pain due to Colonic Interposition.

We present an unusual case of Chilaiditi syndrome that manifests under the guise of multiple systemic signs and symptoms. An 81-year-old female patient with a history of coronary artery disease and hypothyroidism presented to emergency department (ED) with chest heaviness associated with nausea, shortness of breath, diffuse abdominal pain and constipation. Her symptoms were similar to the previous episode of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The clinical team ruled out acute coronary syndrome based on electrocardiogram (EKG) and troponin levels. On further testing, CT of the abdomen revealed the interposition of colon on the dome of diaphragm consistent with Chilaiditi sign. The patient was diagnosed with Chilaiditi syndrome based on the characteristic radiological finding and the symptomatic presentation. Conservative management with bowel rest and laxative bowel regimen resolved her symptoms without further complications. A high index of suspicion is required for the early diagnosis and can prevent further complications and mitigate the need for laparoscopic intervention.

Hypercapnia improves tissue oxygenation in morbidly obese surgical patients.

Risk of wound infection is increased in morbidly obese surgical patients, in part because a major determinant of wound infection risk, tissue oxygenation, is marginal. Unlike in lean patients, supplemental inspired oxygen (Fio2) only slightly improves tissue oxygenation in obese patients. Mild hypercapnia improves tissue oxygenation in lean patients but has not been evaluated in obese patients. We thus tested the hypothesis that mild hypercapnia markedly improves tissue oxygenation in morbidly obese patients given Fio2 80% during major abdominal surgery. Thirty obese patients (body mass index 61.5 +/- 17 kg/m2) scheduled for open gastric bypass were randomly assigned to normocapnia (n = 15, end-tidal Pco2 35 mm Hg) or hypercapnia (n = 15, end-tidal Pco2 50 mm Hg); Fio2 was 80%. Anesthetic management and other confounding factors were controlled. Tissue oxygen tension was measured subcutaneously at the upper arm using a polarographic probe in a silastic tonometer. Demographic characteristics, cardiovascular measurements, and Pao2 (222 +/- 48 versus 230 +/- 68 mm Hg in normocapnic versus hypercapnic; mean +/- sd; P = 0.705) were comparable in the groups. Tissue oxygen tension, however, was greater in hypercapnic than in normocapnic patients (78 +/- 31 versus 56 +/- 13 mm Hg; P = 0.029). Mild hypercapnia increased tissue oxygenation by an amount believed to be clinically important and could potentially reduce the risk of surgical wound infection in morbidly obese patients.

Obesity decreases perioperative tissue oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an important risk factor for surgical site infections. The incidence of surgical wound infections is directly related to tissue perfusion and oxygenation. Fat tissue mass expands without a concomitant increase in blood flow per cell, which might result in a relative hypoperfusion with decreased tissue oxygenation. Consequently, the authors tested the hypotheses that perioperative tissue oxygen tension is reduced in obese surgical patients. Furthermore, they compared the effect of supplemental oxygen administration on tissue oxygenation in obese and nonobese patients. METHODS: Forty-six patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were assigned to one of two groups according to their body mass index: body mass index less than 30 kg/m2 (nonobese) or 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese). Intraoperative oxygen administration was adjusted to arterial oxygen tensions of approximately 150 mmHg and approximately 300 mmHg in random order. Anesthesia technique and perioperative fluid management were standardized. Subcutaneous tissue oxygen tension was measured with a polarographic electrode positioned within a subcutaneous tonometer in the lateral upper arm during surgery, in the recovery room, and on the first postoperative day. Postoperative tissue oxygen was also measured adjacent to the wound. Data were compared with unpaired two-tailed t tests and Wilcoxon rank sum test; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Intraoperative subcutaneous tissue oxygen tension was significantly less in the obese patients at baseline (36 vs. 57 mmHg; P = 0.002) and with supplemental oxygen administration (47 vs. 76 mmHg; P = 0.014). Immediate postoperative tissue oxygen tension was also significantly less in subcutaneous tissue of the upper arm (43 vs. 54 mmHg; P = 0.011) as well as near the incision (42 vs. 62 mmHg; P = 0.012) in obese patients. In contrast, tissue oxygen tension was comparable in each group on the first postoperative morning. CONCLUSION: Wound and tissue hypoxia were common in obese patients in the perioperative period and most pronounced during surgery. Even with supplemental oxygen tissue, oxygen tension in obese patients was reduced to levels that are associated with a substantial increase in infection risk.