Rapid pulmonary fistulization complicating a psoas abscess with intraoperative hypoxemia: a rare case report.

Introduction and importance: Psoas abscess is a relatively uncommon condition that can present with vague clinical features. Patients with this condition often present in different ways to different specialties leading to delays in diagnosis and management. Case presentation: The authors present a 47-year-old woman with complaint of vague abdominal pain, fever, and raised inflammatory markers who underwent CT examination. On CT, a collection was noted in the right iliac fossa that extended along the right retroperitoneum through the retrocrural space in the right lung base communicating with a cavitary pulmonary lesion with air-fluid level. The psoas abscess was drained. Clinical discussion: Our case presents a number of rare and intriguing features. Notably, the patient, who was immunocompetent, experienced a primary Staphylococcus infection that swiftly progressed to a sizable pulmonary abscess, a phenomenon uncommon in such hosts. The rarity further extends to the source of infection, originating abdominally but culminating in thoracic complications through contiguous spread from a retroperitoneal site. Despite the potential severity, the patient's outcome was remarkably positive. Conclusion: This case underscores the potential rapidity of pulmonary involvement in psoas abscesses, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and consideration of respiratory signs during preoperative assessments.

Corrigendum to "Nutcracker syndrome unveiled by severe Typhoid fever: A rare case report" [Radiology Case Reports 19 (2024) 1646-1649].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.01.034.].

Compliance With World Health Organization (WHO)-World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFAS) Standards for General Anesthesia at Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Morocco.

INTRODUCTION: Patient safety in anaesthesia has significantly improved over the past decades, largely due to pharmacological and technological advancements, as well as the widespread adoption of guidelines and standards recommended by international organisations. This study aimed to evaluate the practice of anaesthesia and its compliance with the international standards for safe anaesthesia practice recommended by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This study also describes the operating room within Ibn Sina University Hospital Centre (CHUIS) of Rabat, Morocco, the referral centre, with the aim of identifying its potential and shortcomings. METHODS: This was a prospective analytical descriptive study from March 1, 2021, to July 31, 2021. All facilities within an operating room and information regarding patients undergoing general anaesthesia, whether it be emergency or scheduled procedures, administered by an anaesthetist, were included. A survey form based on the WHO-WFSA International Standards for a Safe Practice of Anesthesia was used to collect data about the anaesthesia sites. Sources of information included direct observation of anaesthesia procedures, patient records, registers, and qualified anaesthesia personnel. Manual data analysis and encoding were performed using Microsoft Word and Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, United States).  Results: All the facilities within the operating rooms of CHUIS were surveyed. In total, 250 patients were recorded, with 43.6% at Ibn Sina Hospital, 18.4% in the Children's Hospital, 14% at the National Institute of Oncology, 12% at the Specialties, 6% at Maternity Hospital Souissi, and 6% at Orangers Maternity Hospital. The median age of patients was 50 years old with 37% of them aged 36-55 years. Overall, 67.6% of these patients were admitted for scheduled interventions. Anaesthetic risk assessment showed that 67.2% of the patients were in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I. Pre-anaesthesia consultations were conducted in 65.6% of cases, and pre-anaesthesia visits were conducted in 89.6% of cases. Anaesthesia checklists were used in 89.6% of cases. General anaesthesia, including tracheal intubation 85.2% and facemask 7.2%, was the most common type of anaesthesia. Regarding anaesthetic agents, propofol was the most used intravenous narcotic, with fentanyl still being used in most cases 92% and rocuronium in 82% of cases. Electrocardiogram, non-invasive blood pressure, and pulse oxygen saturation (SPO2) monitoring were consistently used, while capnography was not available in 6% of cases. Crystalloid fluid resuscitation was used in 91.2% of cases, and colloid resuscitation was used in 1.2% of cases. The post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) was present in 58.8% of cases. Postoperative analgesia was administered in 80% of cases. Adverse events occurred in 58.4% of cases. Preoperative transfusion strategies were employed in 18% of cases. Patient transfers to the intensive care unit were done for 18%. CONCLUSION: Despite the shortcomings of the healthcare system in Morocco, our study indicates that the anaesthesia practice at CHUIS remains highly acceptable by adhering to the highest international standards.

Nutcracker syndrome unveiled by severe Typhoid fever: A rare case report.

Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella Typhi, is a severe bacterial infection prevalent in developing countries, and can result in life-threatening complications if untreated. Nutcracker Syndrome is a rare vascular disorder involving compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. It can lead to various symptoms and poses diagnostic and management challenges. We present a case study of a patient diagnosed with typhoid fever in a Unit of Critical Emergency Care. Coincidentally, the evaluation through CT-scan revealed the presence of Nutcracker Syndrome. This report underscores the incidental discovery of Nutcracker Syndrome during the assessment of a patient with typhoid fever in a critical emergency care setting.

Case report: Total obstruction of the left main bronchus by a blood clot leads to pneumonectomy in a pregnant woman.

Introduction and importance: Airway obstruction resulting from blood clot formation is observed across various clinical scenarios and is often preceded by hemoptysis. This condition can significantly compromise respiratory function, potentially leading to life-threatening ventilatory distress. Case presentation: In this report, the authors present a case of acute airway obstruction associated with hemoptysis in an 18-week pregnant woman admitted to the emergency department for acute respiratory distress. Clinical and radiographic evidence strongly suggested the presence of an endobronchial blood clot causing focal airway obstruction. Diagnosis was confirmed through direct endoscopic evaluation. Clinical discussion: Initial attempts to remove the obstructing clot from the airway involved lavage, aspiration, and forceps extraction by using a bronchoscope. In cases in which these measures proved ineffective, other management strategies include rigid bronchoscopy, embolization, and surgical resection. Conclusion: Central airway obstruction is a critical condition caused by numerous factors such as tumours or blood clots. Treatment focuses on securing the airway, ensuring breathing, and using tools such as bronchoscopy for diagnosis and treatment. Surgery is considered a last resort when other methods are ineffective.

Post-vaccine COVID-19 acute myocarditis: case reports and literature review.

COVID-19 vaccines have reduced both lethality and hospitalization rates of the novel coronavirus disease. Nevertheless, multiple side effects have been reported in the literature, most often are harmless. We report two cases of acute myocarditis, hospitalized in the emergency department for chest pain occurring after the second dose of mRNA vaccine AstraZeneca. The SARS-Cov-2 infection was ruled out in both patients with a negative PCR obtained by nasal swabs and normal thoracic CT scans. Both patients had high levels of high-sensitive cardiac troponin I. Acute coronary syndromes were excluded with cardiac catheterization. Cardiac Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed signs in favor of acute myocarditis. The evolution was favorable for both patients after being put on anti-inflammatory treatment. The universality and accumulation of reports concerning acute myocarditis following COVID vaccination, in the absence of any other diagnostic element that could explain the myocardial injury, establish a strong causal link, although the etiopathogenesis of such injury remains poorly elucidated.

Acute dapsone poisoning with methemoglobinemia: a case report.

Methemoglobinemia is a common complication of dapsone poisoning. Its´ treatment usually relies on methylene blue infusion. The aim of this study was to report a case of an acute dapsone poisoning with methemoglobinemia treated only with ascorbic acid and activated charcoal. A 16-year-old female voluntary ingested 3 grams of dapsone in an attempt of suicide and presented with desaturation and tachypnea. Lab findings were compatible with methemoglobinemia. After two days of treatment with ascorbic acid and activated charcoal, we observed the disappearance of desaturation and tachypnea. Methemoglobinemia can be treated with ascorbic acid and activated charcoal in limited resource settings.

Pulmonary air leak syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis patient.

Pulmonary air leak syndromes involve dissection of air out of the normal pulmonary airspaces and include pulmonary interstitial emphysema, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, pneumoperitoneum, subcutaneous emphysema and systemic air embolism. It presents as a spontaneous extension of dissecting air without a history of a procedure or penetrating injury. Pulmonary air leak syndromes are extremely rare complications of systemic autoimmune connective tissue diseases. Few cases were reported in the literature regarding rheumatoid arthritis patients. The purpose of this article is to emphasize on this rare pulmonary complication and discuss the physiopathology of the disease and the different risk factors for a better management of these patients. We report the case of a 45-year-old female, with a history of proven rheumatoid arthritis under methotrexate and steroids, who presented with a spontaneous dissecting subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum. The patient's condition improved after chest drainage and adjustment of her medical treatment.

[Thrombocytopenia in a surgical intensive care unit: incidence, risk factors and effect on outcome]. / La thrombopénie en réanimation chirurgicale: incidence, analyse des facteurs de risque et impact sur le pronostic.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of thrombocytopenia in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU), the risk factors associated with it, and its effect on patient outcome. METHODS: During a 6-month period, all patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit were studied prospectively. The factors associated with thrombocytopenia were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The study included 112 patients with a mean age of 50+/-18 years and a mean SAPS II (Simplified Acute Physiology Score) of 25+/-19: 41 developed thrombocytopenia (incidence=36,6%). Risk factors associated with it in the univariate analysis were high SAPS II, high organ dysfunction score, invasive intravascular catheters, sepsis, septic shock, and bleeding. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, only 3 independent risk factors remained for thrombocytopenia: bleeding (OR=11.9; 95% CI: 3.3-43.6; p<0.001), sepsis (OR=4.1; 95% CI: 1.3-11.7; p=0.013) and SAPS II>20 (OR=2.8; 95% CI: 1.0-7.8; p=0.042). Although mortality was higher in patients with than without thrombocytopenia , this difference was not statistically significant (41% versus 31%, p=0.26). Survival was similar in both groups, according to the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. CONCLUSION: Thrombocytopenia is common in surgical ICUs. Bleeding and sepsis are the major risk factors. In this study, thrombocytopenia was not an independent factor of poor vital outcome in these critically ill patients.