Spontaneous haematomas and haematochezia due to vitamin C deficiency in a haemodialysis patient.

A man in his 50s with dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease, several weeks history of progressive skin bruising and acute-onset gastrointestinal bleeding presented to the emergency department following a syncopal event during routine haemodialysis owing to profound hypotension. He was found to have a severe normocytic, normochromic anaemia requiring several blood transfusions. He followed a diet lacking fruits and vegetables and stopped taking renal multivitamins. All parameters of coagulation were unremarkable, but serum vitamin C level was undetectable, supporting a diagnosis of scurvy. Although typically associated with individuals who are at risk of malnourishment, such as those with alcohol use disorder, malabsorption, and those who experience homelessness, scurvy should be considered in patients receiving renal replacement therapy as vitamin C is removed during haemodialysis.

Neonatal bilateral adrenal hemorrhage and adrenal insufficiency accompanied by Subgaleal hematoma: a case report with brief review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal adrenal hemorrhage (NAH) is an almost infrequent phenomenon (0.2-0.55%). Mechanical compression and alterations of venous pressure during delivery are considered the most probable explanations. Approximately 10% of the cases might have bilateral involvement. Clinical symptoms include abdominal mass, poor feeding, vomiting, prolonged jaundice, and anemia. Subgaleal hemorrhage (SGH) is one of the most clinically remarkable and potentially hazardous postnatal cranial injuries. CASE PRESENTATION: An early-term Iranian male neonate who was born through spontaneous vaginal delivery and experienced shoulder dystocia was diagnosed with bilateral NAH leading to adrenal insufficiency requiring glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid supplementation. The SGH and jaundice were other postnatal complications. Serial monthly abdominal and brain ultrasound revealed complete regression of lesions after 70 days. However, after 16 months, the neonate has been still treated with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone for the adrenal insufficiency diagnosis. He has a lower limit weight for age; however, developmental milestones have been appropriate for age. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Adrenal hemorrhage and SGH should be examined and looked for, particularly with proven evidence of difficult delivery and asphyxia in at-risk newborns. Clinical and ultrasound follow-up is mandatory for the assessment of hemorrhage resolution and conservative management. The early detection and treatment of adrenal insufficiency by laboratory examination is strongly recommended in bilateral cases. Furthermore, the early recognition of postnatal SGH to prevent clinical and neurological outcomes seems essential.

Mild neonatal complications following guideline-compliant vacuum-assisted delivery in Japan: improvements still needed.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal cephalohematoma and hyperbilirubinemia are often encountered after vacuum-assisted delivery. For safe obstetric practice, guidelines for vacuum procedure were published in 2014 in Japan. We aimed to identify the risk of mild neonatal complications since guideline introduction. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included singleton deliveries at term gestation from 2015 to 2019 at a single perinatal center in Japan. Incidences of neonatal jaundice requiring phototherapy, cephalohematoma, and umbilical artery pH <7.10 were determined and risk factors relevant to the development of hyperbilirubinemia were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 1010 deliveries during the study period, vacuum procedures were attempted in 183 (18%). Guideline recommendations were fully adhered to in over 98% of vacuum procedures. Phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was performed in 75 (41%) of 183 deliveries with vacuum procedure, cephalohematoma occurred in 35 (19%), and umbilical artery pH <7.10 was observed in 10 (5.5%), all of which were significantly higher than without vacuum procedure, such as hyperbilirubinemia (11%, risk ratio [RR] = 3.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.9 - 4.9, p < .0001), cephalohematoma (1.0%, RR = 19.8, 95%CI = 9.3 - 41.9, p < .0001), and umbilical artery pH <7.10 (0.6%, RR = 9.0, 95%CI = 3.1 - 26.1, p < .0001). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that vacuum procedure was the factor most strongly associated with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (odds ratio = 3.5, 95%CI = 2.2 - 5.5, p < .0001). DISCUSSION: Vacuum procedure is an important option for the safe vaginal delivery. However, neonates should be observed for development of jaundice to prevent kernicterus even after optimally performed vacuum-assisted delivery.

Efficacy of Naoxueshu in acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: a multicenter observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety outcome and related risk factors of Naoxueshu in the treatment of acute SICH. METHODS: Two hundred twenty patients were enrolled in this study. Diagnosis of SICH was based on neuroimaging. All the patients received regular treatment and Naoxueshu oral liquid 10 ml 3 times a day for 14 consecutive days. Surgical intervention was conducted as needed. Efficacy and safety outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Hematoma volume decreased significantly 7 days after Naoxueshu treatment (from 27.3 ± 20.0 to 15.1 ± 15.1 ml, P < 0.0001), and it decreased further in 14-day result (6.9 ± 10.4 ml, P < 0.0001). Patients' neurological function was improved remarkably with NIHSS scores from baseline 13 points to 7-day 7 points (P < 0.0001) and 14-day 4 points (P < 0.0001). Cerebral edema was relieved only 14 days after Naoxueshu treatment (from 3 to 2 points, P < 0.0001). No clinically significant change was found in 7-day and 14-day safety results. Female sex was related independently to large 7-day hematoma volume and worse 7-day NIHSS score while it would not affect patients' 14-day outcomes. Rare cause of SICH (B = 17.4, P = 0.009) alone was related to large 14-day hematoma volume. Worse baseline NIHSS score (B = 0.3, P = 0.003) and early use of Naoxueshu (B = 2.9, P = 0.005) were related to worse 7-day and14-day neurological function. CONCLUSION: Naoxueshu oral liquid could relieve hematoma volume and cerebral edema safely; meanwhile, it could improve patients' neurological function. Sex, cause of SICH, and time from onset to receive Naoxueshu should be taken into consideration in the treatment of SICH.

Profunda femoris pseudoaneurysm rupture post dynamic hip screw fixation after physiotherapy.

This case discusses an elderly female who presented acutely with compromised profunda femoris pseudoaneurysm and massive haematoma five weeks after dynamic hip screw insertion for a left neck of femur fracture. The only precipitating factor leading to this presentation was ongoing physiotherapy. She was referred from a rehabilitation hospital to the nearest vascular surgical unit for acute and definitive surgical intervention. Post-operatively, she fared incredibly well, regaining her baseline level of functioning. History taking is complex in a patient with dementia. Clinical examination should follow with a focused approach to the site of recent operation and also where complications are likely to manifest when an alteration from baseline cognitive function is noted. This is of course in addition to the complete work up required from a holistic perspective with any acute deterioration. Imaging should be arranged and prompt referral made if a treatable acute cause is identified. It is imperative to involve family and/or next of kin if possible, but this should not impede prompt decision-making in the patient's best interests by the clinical team if delays are likely to occur.

Optimal intervention time and risk of the activating blood and removing stasis method in acute cerebral hemorrhage patients: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years in neurological diseases and has become one of the top 3 fatal diseases in the world. Cerebral hemorrhage accounts for approximately 18% to 24% of all strokes in Asian countries. Cerebral hemorrhage is one of the most destructive subtypes of stroke and has high morbidity and mortality. Based on the current research, it has been confirmed that neither surgical treatment nor current drug treatment is the most preferred treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is increasingly being used to treat cerebral hemorrhage, and the activating blood and removing stasis (ABRS) method has received more attention. At present, there is still a lack of high-quality clinical research on the treatment of acute cerebral hemorrhage. METHOD: We designed a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. We aim to recruit 312 cerebral hemorrhage patients aged 18 to 80 years within 24 to 72 hours after onset. In addition to routine treatment, participants will randomly receive ABRS granules or placebo for 14 days. Those enrolled within 24 to 48 hours after onset will enter strata A, and those enrolled within 49 to 72 hours (including 48-49 hours) after onset will enter strata B. The strata sample size ratio will be 1:1. The primary outcome is the disability degree (modified Rankin Scale score, mRS) at 6 months after onset. The secondary outcomes include the percentage of hematoma enlargement after treatment, Barthel index (BI), National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score, mortality rate, all-cause mortality rate, TCM stroke syndrome evaluation scale score, and adverse events. DISCUSSION: The study is expected to confirm the safety and effect of acute cerebral hemorrhage within 24 to 72 hours treated with the ABRS method and to determine the optimal time for intervention in this period. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR1900022627.

Painful shoulder in a patient receiving anticoagulation therapy with rivaroxaban. / Hombro doloroso en paciente anticoagulado con rivaroxabán.

We report the case of an 83-year-old man on rivaroxaban treatment, with pain in right shoulder, back of the upper arm, forearm and wrist, and inability to extend the wrist and fingers, as the result of an injury. The radiographs were normal, but thoracic CT showed an axillary artery pseudoaneurysm and a secondary hematoma that compressed the brachial plexus. This should be borne in mind in patients with painful shoulder, treated with anticoagulant therapy and without associated radiographic changes.

[Effect on immune factors and serum CA125 in patients of threatened abortion in early pregnancy complicated with subchorionic hematoma treated with auricular acupuncture combined with dydrogesterone].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of auricular acupuncture combined with dydrogesterone for threatened abortion in early pregnancy complicated with subchorionic hematoma. METHODS: A total of 80 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the control group, dydrogesterone was taken orally twice a day, 10 mg a time until 12-week into pregnancy. In the observation group，auricular acupuncture was applied at penqiang (TF5), pizhixia (AT4), shen (CO10), xin(CO15), gan (CO12), jiaogan (AH6a) and neifenmi (CO18) on the basis of the control group, the auricular points on both sides were used alternatively. The auricular points were replaced every 3 days with 1 day break, totally 3 weeks (20 days) were required. Before treatment and after 10, 20 days of treatment, the percentage of helper T lymphocyte (Th) and inhibitory T lymphocyte (Ts), ratio of Th and Ts and serum level of CA125 were compared in the two groups. The areas of subchorionic hematoma and gestational sac were evaluated by B ultrasound. The therapeutic effect in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The effective rate in the observation group was 80.0% (32/40), which was superior to 65.0% (26/40) in the control group (P<0.05). After 10, 20 days of treatment, the percentage of Th and ratio of Th and Ts were lower than before treatment, the percentage of Ts were increased in the two groups (P<0.01). After 20 days of treatment, the percentage of Th and ratio of Th and Ts in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01), the percentage of Ts was higher than the control group (P<0.01). After 10, 20 days of treatment, the serum levels of CA125 were reduced compared before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), and the serum levels of CA125 in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). After 10, 20 days of treatment, the ratio of subchorionic hematoma area and gestational sac area in the observation group was lower than the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Auricular acupuncture combined with dextroprogesterone can improve the effective rate of patients with threatened abortion in early pregnancy complicated with subchorionic hematoma, regulate immune factors, promote the hematoma absorption, and has a better synergistic effect with dextroprogesterone.

Dissociation of identity following left parietal haematoma - a single case report.

OBJECTIVES: Dissociative identity disorder in relation to brain injury has only rarely been reported in literature. This case report, which illustrates a de novo onset of dissociative identity for the first time in an elderly man who had a left parietal haematoma, adds to this scant literature base and supports an integrative view of bridging the dichotomy between organic and functional to explain complex psychiatric phenomena. METHODS: It is a single case report collected through serial semi-structured interviews of the patient and his family over a 12-week period. RESULTS: The patient was an elderly man transiently dissociated into various identities, some of whom seemed to be based upon individuals who had traumatized him in the past. This occurred three weeks after recovery from hemiparesis and delirium following a left parietal haematoma. The dissociations ended after six weeks, which coincided not only with the resolution of the haematoma but also with a faith-healing ritual. A speculative psychobiological formulation was drawn of possible brain origins of dissociation of identity. CONCLUSIONS: This report is a compelling account of temporal correlation between dissociation of identity and left parietal haematoma.

Spontaneous prostatic haematoma in a case of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

A 61-year-old man presented with urinary retention with obstructive uropathy (urea/creatinine: 126/9.2 mg/dL) secondary to a large prostatic haematoma while being medically managed for benign enlargement of the prostate. The patient did not have any fever or local symptoms and the prostate was enlarged and non-tender on examination. Ultrasound and MRI of the pelvis showed a 9.4×10.4×11.1 cm sized prostatic haematoma seen displacing and compressing the urinary bladder anteriorly with bilateral hydroureteronephrosis. The patient was managed with per-urethral catheterisation, haemodialysis and injectable antibiotics. Percutaneous pigtail placement into the prostatic haematoma led to gradual drainage of the haematoma with improvement in the renal parameters. Definitive surgery in the form of transurethral resection of the prostate was done at a later date. Intraoperatively multiple encapsulated cavities containing organised clots were deroofed. On follow-up, the patient did well and had good urinary flow and normal renal parameters.

Activating blood circulation to remove stasis treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage: A multi-center prospective randomized open-label blinded-endpoint trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the Chinese herbal therapeutic regimen of activating blood circulation (TRABC) in treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). METHODS: This was a multi-center prospective randomized open-label blinded-endpoint (PROBE) trial with HICH admitted to 12 hospitals. Totally 240 participants were randomized to the treatment group treated with TRABC in addition to conventional Western treatment or the control group with conventional Western treatment equally for 3 months. Primary outcome was degree of disability as measured by modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Secondary outcomes were the absorption of hematoma and edema, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and patient-reported outcome measures for stroke and Barthel activities of daily living index. Adverse events and mortality were also recorded. RESULTS: After 3 months of treatment, the rate of mRS 0-1 and mRS 0-2 in the treatment group was 72.5% and 80.4%, respectively, and in the control group 48.1% and 63.9%, respectively, with a significant difference between groups (P<0.01). Hematoma volume decreased significantly at day 7 of treatment in the treatment group than the control group (P=0.038). Average Barthel scores in the treatment group after treatment was 89.11±19.93, and in the control group 82.18±24.02 (P=0.003). NIHSS scores of the two groups after treatment decreased significantly compared with before treatment (P=0.001). Patient-reported outcomes in the treatment group were lower than the control group at day 21 and 3 months of treatment (P<0.05). There were 4 deaths, 2 in each group, and 11 adverse events, 6 in the treatment group and 5 in the control group. CONCLUSION: The integrative therapy combined TRABC with conventional Western treatment for HICH could promote hematoma absorption thus minimize neurologic impairment, without increasing intracerebral hematoma expansion and re-bleeding.

[A study using positron emission tomography of a case of vascular dementia due to left thalamic haematoma, an example of the diaschisis phenomenon]. / Estudio con tomografia por emision de positrones de un caso de demencia vascular por hematoma talamico izquierdo, ejemplo del fenomeno de diasquisis.

INTRODUCTION: Thalamic vascular lesions as strategic strokes can cause amnesia, executive dysfunctions or dysphasia and behavioral or psychological symptoms causing vascular dementia. CASE REPORT: A 58 years-old woman with hypertension and dyslipemia, who after a left thalamic hemorrhage with good radiological evolution, presents a severe amnesic syndrome as well as other subtle changes in orientation and in language, difficulties in managing money and depressive symptoms requiring anxiolytic and antidepressive treatment. All this joined to limitations in the normal course of her work. Followed by neurology service, a positron emission tomography with 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose integrated with computed tomography was performed, which showed a hypometabolism in left thalamic area and also in ipsilateral inferior frontal region, explained by the diaschisis phenomenon. CONCLUSIONS: Diaschisis phenomenon is a neuroimaging and pathophysiological finding whereby thalamic or basal ganglia strokes cause hypoperfusion/hypometabolism in the ipsilateral or contralateral cortex and could explain cortical distal symptoms. This case report demonstrates the presence of thalamocortical connections, which helps to understand the circuitry of memory and help to explain the association of other cortical symptoms as dysphasia or executive dysfunction.

TITLE: Estudio con tomografia por emision de positrones de un caso de demencia vascular por hematoma talamico izquierdo, ejemplo del fenomeno de diasquisis.Introduccion. Las lesiones vasculares talamicas que se comportan como ictus estrategicos pueden causar amnesia, disfunciones ejecutivas o disfasia, asi como sintomas comportamentales o psicologicos, y causar una demencia vascular. Caso clinico. Mujer de 58 años, hipertensa y dislipidemica, que, tras una hemorragia talamica izquierda que evoluciono radiologicamente de manera favorable, presento un sindrome amnesico grave y otras alteraciones sutiles en la orientacion y el lenguaje, dificultades en el manejo del dinero y sintomas depresivos que precisaron tratamiento ansiolitico y antidepresivo, todo lo cual fue causa de limitaciones para el normal desempeño de su trabajo. Seguida en la consulta de neurologia, se le practico una tomografia por emision de positrones/tomografia axial computarizada con 18F-2-fluoro-2-desoxi-D-glucosa, donde se aprecio un hipometabolismo en el talamo izquierdo y, ademas, en la region frontal inferior ipsilateral, que se explicaria mediante el fenomeno de diasquisis. Conclusiones. El fenomeno de diasquisis es un hallazgo de neuroimagen y fisiopatologico por el cual los ictus talamicos o de los ganglios basales causan hipoperfusion/hipometabolismo en la corteza ipsilateral o contralateral, y que puede explicar sintomas a distancia corticales. El presente caso evidencia la presencia de conexiones talamocorticales, lo cual ayuda a comprender los circuitos de la memoria y a explicar la asociacion en el de otros sintomas corticales, como la disfasia o las alteraciones ejecutivas.

A Case of Ruptured Aneurysm of the Proper Esophageal Artery with Symptomatic Mediastinal Hematoma.

Mediastinal aneurysms are rare but potentially life-threatening. Among these, bronchial artery aneurysms are most frequently reported, whereas up to now aneurysms of the proper esophageal artery had never been reported. A 69-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for treatment of a massive mediastinal hematoma. Enhanced computed tomography and selective proper esophageal arteriography revealed a 5-mm aneurysm in the proper esophageal artery that arises from the thoracic aorta at the Th8 level and has an anastomotic branch with the bronchial artery peripherally. Transcatheter arterial embolization was successfully performed using a mixture of N-butyl cyanoacrylate and lipiodol (1:3 ratio, 0.3 ml). Post-embolization angiography showed no filling into the aneurysm. The patient recovered with no complications and was discharged on the 25th post-procedure day.

Aphasia and unilateral spatial neglect due to acute thalamic hemorrhage: clinical correlations and outcomes.

Thalamic hemorrhages are associated with a variety of cognitive dysfunctions, and it is well known that such cognitive changes constitute a limiting factor of recovery of the activities of daily living (ADL). The relationship between cognitive dysfunction and hematomas is unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between aphasia/neglect and hematoma volume, hematoma type, and the ADL. One hundred fifteen patients with thalamic hemorrhage (70 men and 45 women) were studied. Their mean age was 68.9 ± 10.3 years, and patients with both left and right lesions were included. We calculated hematoma volume and examined the presence or absence of aphasia/neglect and the relationships between these dysfunctions and hematoma volume, hematoma type, and the ADL. Fifty-nine patients were found to have aphasia and 35 were found to have neglect. Although there was no relationship between hematoma type and cognitive dysfunction, hematoma volume showed a correlation with the severity of cognitive dysfunction. The ADL score and ratio of patient discharge for patients with aphasia/neglect were lower than those for patients without aphasia/neglect. We observed a correlation between the hematoma volume in thalamic hemorrhage and cognitive dysfunction. Aphasia/neglect is found frequently in patients with acute thalamic hemorrhage and may influence the ADL.

Perihematomal Cellular Injury Is Reduced by Trans-sodium Crocetinate in a Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

The carotenoid compound trans-sodium crocetinate (TSC) has been shown to increase oxygenation in various tissues, including the brain. Notably, TSC can enhance oxygenation under conditions of reduced blood flow, thus attenuating the depth of an ischemic challenge. This study examined the impact of TSC on neuronal loss in an animal model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Utilizing a rat model of collagenase injection, TSC was shown to reduce perihematomal cellular loss after ICH, as assessed by Fluoro-Jade B staining in tissue sections. This is the first evidence demonstrating that TSC is capable of limiting hemorrhagic injury to neurons in the brain. The finding supports the concept that TSC may represent a candidate therapeutic for early intervention regardless of whether a stroke is hemorrhagic or ischemic in nature.

Acquired haemophilia complicated with gastrointestinal bleeding and spontaneous iliopsoas muscle haematoma in a woman with chronic C hepatitis under treatment with pegylated IFN alpha 2a and ribavirin.

Acquired haemophilia A is a very rare (1-2 cases per million people) but often life-threatening haemorrhagic disorder characterized by antibodies directed against coagulation factor VIII. We report the case of a 55-year old woman under treatment with Pegylated alpha 2a interferon (IFN) and Ribavirin for chronic viral C hepatitis, who developed a progressive severe haemorrhagic syndrome diagnosed as acquired haemophilia based on supplementary laboratory data (prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, extremely low factor VIII level - 1%, high titre of factor VIII inhibitor - 30 Bethesda U/ml).The onset was insidious, about three months before presenting to our unit. Antiviral therapy had been stopped three weeks before current admission. Emergency intensive treatment included: haemostatic agents - rFVII (Novoseven), FEIBA (Factor VIII Inhibitor Bypassing Activity), vitamin K, adrenostazin, cryoprecipitate, fresh frozen plasma, as well as immunosuppressive therapy (high dose corticotherapy and cyclophoshamide), immunoglobulins (Humaglobin), prophylactic PPI and antibiotics. The evolution was slowly favourable with the remission of the haemorrhagic syndrome and regression of the iliopsoas muscle haematoma. Clinicians should be aware that acquired forms of haemophilia do exist, representing a rare diagnosis and a therapeutic challenge. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of acquired haemophilia in Romania, in a patient with chronic viral C hepatitis under antiviral treatment.

Transient stabbing headache from an acute thalamic hemorrhage.

Stabbing headache can be encountered in both primary and secondary forms, but has been infrequently reported among patients with stroke, and is not known to be associated with a small well-circumscribed brain lesion. A 95-year-old woman taking warfarin presented with the sudden onset of stabbing headache strictly in the right frontal and supraorbital regions, along with gait imbalance and dysarthria. Neuroimaging revealed a small left thalamic hematoma. This association of an acute thalamic lesion with stabbing headache in the contralateral trigeminal distribution is discussed, along with a brief review of stabbing headache occurring in cerebrovascular disease.