The Role of Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection in Middle and Lower Rectal Cancer (Stage II or III): A Literature Review.

Lateral lymph node dissection and its inclusion in the treatment of rectal cancer is a controversial issue, with great differences, especially between Eastern and Western countries. Studies try to highlight the superiority of resection of these lymph nodes compared to simple mesorectal resection in terms of local recurrence of the disease, the overall survival of patients, and additional postoperative complications. In this study, the modern literature was reviewed, with the ultimate goal of clarifying the exact importance of lateral lymph node dissection, in terms of oncological outcome in patients with cancer of the middle and lower rectum, by studying the involvement of this lymph node dispersion in terms of local recurrence and overall survival of patients with rectal cancer. This review was carried out using electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE, with studies dating back to the last decade. Of the 31 studies that were eventually included in the final review, there is no statistically clear superiority and real benefit from lymph node resection beyond the lymph nodes of the mid-rectum. European guidelines are set against lateral lymph node dissection, except for lymph nodes that show suspicious features on preoperative imaging. In contrast, in Eastern countries, total mesorectal excision (TME) with extensive simultaneous resection of the lateral pelvic lymph nodes (LPLNs) is the protocol followed. Recent studies focus on the subcategory of patients with non-responsive to adjuvant therapy, lateral lymph nodes, in which the ultimate benefit of extensive lymph node dissection is explored. The decision to join the TME procedure for the removal of the LPLNs is a subject of intense research. There are no data on the criteria for determining these lymph nodes as an increased risk of metastatic outbreaks. Despite the great clinical and research interest worldwide nowadays, the resection of LPLNs remains a controversial issue of debate, with intense disagreements according to geographical area, while the existence of additional studies is necessary to come to final conclusions.

Patch Augmentation in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgery-Review of Current Evidence and Newest Trends.

Background: Rotator cuff tears are a common and debilitating condition requiring surgical intervention. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is essential for restoring shoulder function and alleviating pain. Tear classification by size and tendon retraction, along with the grade for fatty infiltration, influence postoperative outcomes, with large tears and higher fatty infiltration grades linked to higher retear rates. Managing complex tears is challenging, with failure rates ranging from 20 to 94%. Patch augmentation has emerged as a promising strategy, using biological or synthetic materials to reinforce tendon repairs, enhancing structural integrity and reducing retear risk. Methods: A review of the recent literature from January 2018 to March 2024 was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. Keywords included "rotator cuff tear", "rotator cuff augmentation", "rotator cuff patch", "tendon augmentation", "massive rotator cuff tear", "patch augmentation", and "grafts". Relevant articles were selected based on their abstracts for a comprehensive review. Results: Initial methods used autograft tissues, but advances in biomaterials have led to standardized, biocompatible synthetic patches. Studies show reduced retear rates with patch augmentation, ranging from 17 to 45%. Conclusions: Patch augmentation reduces the retear rates and improves tendon repair, but complications like immune responses and infections persist. Cost-effectiveness analyses indicate that while initial costs are higher, long-term savings from reduced rehabilitation, revision surgeries, and increased productivity can make patch augmentation economically beneficial.

Reliability of the Biomechanical Assessment of the Sagittal Lumbar Spine and Pelvis on Radiographs Used in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: Biomechanical analysis of the sagittal alignment of the lumbar spine and pelvis on radiographs is common in clinical practices including chiropractic, physical therapy, scoliosis-related thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthosis (TLSO) management, orthopedics, and neurosurgery. Of specific interest is the assessment of pelvic morphology and the relationship between angle of pelvic incidence, sacral slope, and lumbar lordosis to pain, disability, and clinical treatment of spine conditions. The current state of the literature on the reliability of common methods quantifying these parameters on radiographs is limited. Methods: The objective of this systematic review is to identify and review the available studies on the reliability of different methods of biomechanical analysis of sagittal lumbo-pelvic parameters used in clinical practice. Our review followed the recommendations of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). The design of this systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023379873). Results: The search strategy yielded a total of 2387 articles. A total of 1539 articles were screened after deduplication and exclusion by automation tools, leaving 473 full-text articles that were retrieved. After exclusion, 64 articles met the inclusion criteria. The preponderance of the evidence showed good to excellent reliability for biomechanical assessment of sagittal lumbo-pelvic spine alignment. Conclusions: The results of this systematic review of the literature show that sagittal radiographic analysis of spinal biomechanics and alignment of the human lumbo-pelvic spine is a reliable tool for aiding diagnosis and management in clinical settings.

TEP or TAPP: who, when, and how?

Groin hernia repair is the most common procedure performed by general surgeons. The open mesh technique generally represents the main technique for an inguinal repair, but a different approach is often required. Laparoscopy was found to be the answer to minimizing the impact of the preperitoneal open techniques described by Nyhus and Stoppa. The introduction of the totally extraperitoneal hernia repair (TEP) and transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) in the early 1990s started a new chapter in groin hernia surgery. The minimally invasive techniques vs. open mesh, and then one against the other, soon became a hot topic among abdominal wall surgeons. With time, the number of procedures and indications increased and are still increasing. This review aims to provide an overview of the two main laparoscopic techniques for groin hernia repair, answering the following questions: Who should perform them? What is the learning curve required to minimize complications and optimize operative time? When is a minimally invasive approach indicated, and which one (both in elective and in emergency setting)? How are they performed? The standard techniques have been described in detail, and personal observations from an abdominal wall surgery referral center were added. The main reviews from the early 2000s up to date, which compared the techniques, were analyzed, and the results reported, confirming the comparable safety and efficacy of both these techniques.

Dissecting Through the Literature: A Review of the Critical Appraisal Process.

Critical appraisal is a crucial step in evidence-based practice, enabling researchers to evaluate the credibility and applicability of research findings. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to cultivate critical appraisal skills to assess the trustworthiness and value of available evidence. This process involves scrutinizing key components of a research publication, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the study, and assessing its relevance to a specific context. It is essential for researchers to become familiar with the core elements of a research article and utilize key questions and guidelines to rigorously assess a study. This paper aims to provide an overview of the critical appraisal process. By understanding the main points of critical appraisal, researchers can assess the quality, relevance, and reliability of articles, thereby enhancing the validity of their findings and decision-making processes.

A Comprehensive Review of Lyme Disease: A Focus on Cardiovascular Manifestations.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness known for its ability to cause multi-systemic manifestations. It can affect several different systems, including neurological, musculoskeletal, and dermatological systems. However, one of the most concerning biological systems affected is the cardiac system. Lyme carditis typically presents with varying degrees of atrioventricular (AV) block. Additionally, current literature also endorses atypical manifestations, including but not limited to atrial fibrillation and bundle branch blocks. These atypical manifestations are important as they can be the first presenting symptoms in patients with Lyme disease. Therefore, educating clinicians on various signs, symptoms, and manifestations of Lyme carditis remains paramount in reducing morbidity and mortality. We conducted a literature review using PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL, collecting a total of 13 articles to gather information on atypical manifestations of Lyme carditis. This literature review serves to summarize the current research and studies describing these cardiac manifestations and the cardiac pathophysiology associated with Lyme disease. These findings aim to contribute to the expanding understanding of Lyme carditis, subsequently preventing long-term effects through prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Primary invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the nipple in an adult male: A case report and brief review of literature.

This is a case report of a rare and uncommon primary invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nipple in a male patient. The patient presented with an ulcerated growth over the left nipple for the last 20 years, which progressed over the last 6 months. He underwent wide local excision with level II axillary lymph node dissection, and one out of 42 lymph nodes harvested showed metastatic deposit. The patient was planned for follow-up with no adjuvant treatment, and had no evidence of local-regional or distant recurrence at 24 months follow-up. The primary invasive SCC of male nipple is very rare, and its diagnosis is challenging as it can be confused with other clinical conditions. However, a histopathological examination with immunohistochemistry can differentiate primary SCC nipple from other differential diagnoses. The treatment options for cutaneous SCC include surgical excision, cryotherapy, electrosurgery, topical ointments, definitive radiation therapy, and photodynamic therapy. Regional lymph node dissection in SCC nipple could potentially have therapeutic and prognostic significance.

The patterns, trends and major risk factors of suicide among Indian adolescents - a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is an essential stage for the development of mental health, and suicide is among the leading cause of mortality for adolescents around the world. In India, the suicide rate among adolescents has been increasing in recent years. The scoping review was conducted to map the evidence and address gaps by examining the existing pattern, and trends, and identify the major risk factors of suicide among Indian adolescents. METHODS: The study was conducted as per the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers' manual. The systematic search was performed using electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and PsycINFO, by using specific keywords. After the screening, 35 articles were identified according to the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The evidence on the trends of suicide among adolescents showed that the suicide rate has shown an alarming increase in recent years. The evidence pattern showed that hanging and poisoning were the commonly selected methods used by adolescents. The most commonly reported risk factors were mental health problems (54.28%), negative or traumatic familiar issues (34.28%), academic stress (22.85%), social/lifestyle factors (20%), violence (22.85%), economic distresses (8.75%), relationship factor (8.75%). CONCLUSION: By synthesizing and summarising the patterns, trends, and key risk factors of suicide among Indian adolescents, this scoping review provides a broad understanding of the literature already in existence. In order to effectively tackle these issues, the finding highlights the urgent need for extensive and targeted suicide prevention measures.

Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the liver in an adult: An extremely rare case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Primary hepatic sarcomas are one of the extremely rare malignant tumors representing less than 0.1 % of all primary malignant neoplasms. CASE PRESENTATION AND CLINICAL DISCUSSION: A known compensated cirrhotic HCV 60-year-old female lady MELD score 8 with a medical history of controlled diabetes and hypertension presented to our hepatobiliary clinic experiencing a chronic right hypochondrial pain that radiate to her right shoulder of 3 months duration. O/E there was right hypochondrial and epigastric tenderness. Pelvi-abdominal US was done then PET CT which revealed a large exophytic focal lesion measuring about 8 × 7 × 6 cm and achieving 12.4 SUV max on FDG uptake. Pre-operative US guided true-cut biopsy showed small oval rounded cells with focal spindling and the neoplastic cells showed hyperchromatic pleomorphic nuclei with little cytoplasm with a positive reaction of tumor cells stained with Desmin and Myogenin with a diagnosis of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient was scheduled for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and then elective Right hemihepatectomy. Although many challenges were encountered during the resection of the tumor as the tumor was attached to the under surface of the diaphragm, the tumor was resected with a safety margin of 1 cm with frozen histopathological examination being negative for any malignant cells. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful apart from wound infection and was discharged on the postoperative sixth day. CONCLUSION: The percutaneous liver biopsy plays an important role in the diagnosis of liver's rhabdomyosarcomas. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy addresses the behavior of the tumor, together with early surgical intervention can lead to favorable outcomes and reduce the recurrence.

Promoting Psychosocial Well-Being and Empowerment of Immigrant Women: A Systematic Review of Interventions.

This systematic review (SLR), based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, aims to present a current overview of interventions aimed at promoting the psychosocial well-being and/or empowerment (PWE) of immigrant women in order to guide future projects. Data collection was performed in the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases, with studies published between 2012 and 20 March 2023 in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were based on the PICO guidelines: (P) immigrant women, (I) interventions to improve PWE, (C) comparison between the initial and final phases, and (O) evaluated results for PWE. Risk of bias was assessed, and most of the studies met more than 80% of the JBI bias criteria and had moderate quality on GRADE. Thirteen studies with 585 participants were included, mostly non-randomized, non-equivalent, and with an experimental-control group design. The main components of interventions were health education/psychoeducation, counseling, cognitive restructuring, and expressive therapies. A descriptive synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data was made to evaluate the results of the interventions in PWE. In the experimental studies, results assessed improvements mainly in mood and depression levels, and stress reduction. Empowerment components were less covered. Experimental groups performed better in almost all variables in the comparison with control groups. The strongest interventions were psychoeducation and cognitive restructuring techniques. The main limitations of the studies were the lack of quality of several studies, sample size and representativeness, language, and the possibility of response bias. Even taking this into account, this article makes an original contribution by advocating for evidence-based practice and offering significant implications for health professionals, policy makers, and researchers that work with the integrative health of immigrant women. This SLR is registered in PROPESRO Registration: CRD42023399683. PS is a research fellow of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) of Portugal.

Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Presenting With Bifid Epiglottis: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Bifid epiglottis is a rare congenital laryngeal anomaly that is most commonly a syndromic rather than an isolated entity. It has been associated with specific syndromes, such as Pallister-Hall syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and other related syndromes. Bardet-Biedl syndrome is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by hand and/or feet polydactyly, obesity, short stature, mental retardation, renal anomalies, and genital anomaly. Here we report a case involving a 25-year-old Saudi male patient who presented with hoarseness of voice since birth with no diurnal or diet association or other associated symptoms. On examination, he was noted to have craniofacial dysmorphism and polydactyly of the right hand and left foot. Fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy (NPLS) revealed a laryngeal pedunculated rounded glottic mass and subglottic bulging with expiration and involuting with inspiration along with an abnormal-looking epiglottis having a separate cartilaginous framework with space in-between and bilateral mobile vocal cords. Computed tomography (CT) showed the vocal cord mass and a bifid epiglottis. Other investigations and labs were within normal range. The patient underwent vocal cord mass excision and soft tissue histopathology revealed a benign growth. On follow-up, the patient showed clinical improvement. In conclusion, this is a rare case of bifid epiglottis associated with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, which serves to highlight the significance of such anomalies in any syndromic patient presenting with airway symptoms. Our aim is to add more cases to the literature and to consider it as a differential diagnosis.

An Ovarian Teratoma Mimicking Complicated Acute Appendicitis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of right iliac fossa (RIF) pain in the younger population. However, multiple other pathologies presenting with RIF pain can mimic acute appendicitis. In the female gender, the differentials for RIF pain are broader. Multiple pathologies can present with similar symptomatology that can mimic acute appendicitis, leading to an incorrect diagnosis, unnecessary surgical interventions, and complications. In females of reproductive age, gynaecological causes can present similarly. Here, we present a case of an ovarian teratoma mimicking acute complicated appendicitis. A female of reproductive age presented to our hospital with RIF pain of six days, associated with fever, nausea, vomiting, and anorexia. A clinical diagnosis of acute complicated appendicitis was suspected, and further imaging was arranged to confirm the diagnosis. Imaging showed a normal appendix with a right adnexal mass separated from the ovary, representing a teratoma. She underwent elective surgery for the excision of teratoma after further investigations. Ovarian teratomas are not a common mimicker of appendicitis. One should consider possible gynaecological causes as a differential for RIF pain. Due to the wide variety of differentials, when in doubt, especially in the female gender, further imaging should be considered for confirmation of diagnosis.

Dysautonomia associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to report the clinical characteristics of dysautonomia associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). METHODS: We reported two patients with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) occurring as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). We also performed a review of previous case reports presenting dysautonomia during ICI therapy. Moreover, we conducted pharmacovigilance analyses using the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) to investigate dysautonomia associated with ICI. RESULTS: Two patients in our care developed both AAG and autoimmune encephalitis following ICI therapy for lung cancers. We comprehensively reviewed 13 published cases (M:F = 11:2, mean onset age of 53 years) with ICI-associated dysautonomia including AAG (n = 3) and autonomic neuropathy (n = 10). Of these, ICI monotherapy was performed in seven and combination ICI use in six. In 6 of 13 patients, dysautonomia appeared within one month after the start of ICIs. Orthostatic hypotension was observed in 7 and urinary incontinence or retention in five. All patients except three showed gastrointestinal symptoms. Anti-ganglionic acetylcholine receptor antibodies were undetectable. All but two patients received immune-modulating therapy. Immuno-modulating therapy was effective in three patients with AAG and two patients with autonomic neuropathy, but ineffective in the others. Five patients died, of either the neurological irAE (n = 3) or cancer (n = 2). The pharmacovigilance analyses using FAERS showed that ipilimumab monotherapy and the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab constituted significant risks for developing dysautonomia, consistent with the review of literature. CONCLUSION: ICIs can cause dysautonomia including AAG, and autonomic neuropathy is a neurological irAE.

Relationship dynamics associated with emotional IPV perpetration and victimization: A meta-analysis.

Emotional intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common form of IPV and frequently co-occurs with other forms of IPV. Risk factors of IPV can give insight to potential pathways and consequences associated with IPV, enhancing treatment efforts. This meta-analysis examined relationship dynamics associated with IPV perpetration and victimization. Our study found victimization of controlling behavior, demand/withdrawal relationship pattern, perpetration of controlling behavior, jealousy, relationship distress, perpetrator's power in the relationship, anxious attachment, and traditional gender roles were all significantly associated with IPV perpetration. For IPV victimization, victimization of controlling behaviors, fear of the perpetrator, relationship distress, anxious and avoidant attachment, and traditional gender roles were all found to be significantly associated. Relationship satisfaction was found to be negatively associated with emotional IPV perpetration and victimization. Implications for clinicians are discussed.

The paucity of high-level evidence for therapy in pediatric cardiology.

Introduction: Clinical practice should be based on the highest quality of evidence available. Therefore, we aimed to classify publications in the field of pediatric cardiology in the year 2021 based on the level of scientific evidence. Materials and Methods: A PubMed search was performed to identify pediatric cardiology articles published in the calendar year 2021. The abstract or manuscript of each study was reviewed. Each study was categorized as high, medium, or low level of evidence based on the study design. Disease investigated, treatment studied, and country of publication were recorded. Randomized control trials (RCTs) in similar fields of neonatology and adult cardiology were identified for comparison. Descriptive statistics were performed on the level of evidence, type of disease, country of publication, and therapeutic intervention. Results: In 2021, 731 studies were identified. A decrease in prevalence for the level of evidence as a function of low, medium, and high was found (50.1%, 44.2%, and 5.8%, respectively). A low level of evidence studies was the majority for all types of cardiac disease identified, including acquired heart disease, arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, and heart failure, and for treatment modalities, including circulatory support, defibrillator, percutaneous intervention, medicine, and surgery. In a subgroup analysis, most high-level evidence studies were from the USA (31%), followed by China (26.2%) and India (14.3%). Comparing RCTs, 21 RCTs were identified in pediatric cardiology compared to 178 in neonatology and 413 in adult ischemic heart disease. Conclusions: There is a great need for the conduct of studies that offer a high level of evidence in the discipline of pediatric cardiology.

Angioleiomyoma in a 54-year-old Female: A Case Report of Distal Leg Tumor and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Angioleiomyomas are rare benign tumors originating from smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. Although they can occur in various anatomical locations, angioleiomyomas of the distal leg are relatively uncommon. Due to its clinical resemblance to other soft-tissue tumors, misdiagnosis can occur leading to inadequate treatment. Case Report: We present a case of angioleiomyoma in a 54-year-old female who presented with a palpable mass in her distal leg. The tumor was surgically excised, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of angioleiomyoma. In this article, we discuss the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and management of angioleiomyoma, with a focus on distal leg tumors. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature on angioleiomyomas, emphasizing findings and treatment outcomes reported in previous studies. Conclusion: Angioleiomyomas are uncommon soft-tissue tumors that can mimic other more common lesions such as ganglion cysts. Hence, diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for angioleiomyoma. Complete resection is generally curative, with a low rate of recurrence.

A Critical Appraisal of the Chronic Pain Rate After Inguinal Hernia Repair.

Purpose: To critically appraise highly cited studies reporting on the rate of chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair. Methods: Google Scholar was searched on 23 May 2022. We only included publications with more than 10 citations per year since publication and more than 100 citations in total. Both reports of original data and systematic reviews were included. Risk of bias and quality of the included studies were assessed with either the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Prevalence Studies or the AMSTAR 2 depending on study design. Results: Twenty studies were included and evaluated. The rate of chronic postoperative inguinal pain of any degree ranged from 10%-63%, and the rate of moderate-to-severe pain ranged from 1%-18%. All studies reported the rate of pain of any degree, and most studies reported the rate of moderate-to-severe pain influencing daily activities. Studies used different temporal definitions of chronic pain, but most studies defined it as pain persisting either three or six months postoperatively. Ten studies used unvalidated questionnaires or significantly modified versions of validated questionnaires. Eleven studies primarily included patients receiving open repair. Included studies had median 21 citations per year (range 10-39) and median 387 citations in total (range 127-788). Conclusion: The rates of chronic postoperative inguinal pain reported in the included highly cited studies are possibly inaccurate, excessive, and outdated. New prospective studies based on uniform definitions and standards of measurement are warranted to better assess a contemporary chronic pain rate after inguinal hernia repair.

Pediatric sigmoid colonic perforation with Campylobacter enterocolitis: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter-related infectious gastroenteritis is common and usually self-limited. Intestinal perforation is a rare complication of the infectious colitis caused by Campylobacter, and only handful of cases have been reported. This is the first published case report of pediatric Campylobacter intestinal perforation located in the sigmoid colon. CASE PRESENTATION: A 15-year-old previously Taiwanese healthy boy presented with 5 days of fever up to 39.8 °C, with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and watery diarrhea. Although he received antimotility agents and antipyretics at a local clinic to relieve symptoms, he came to the emergency department with signs of shock manifesting as hypothermia to 35.2 °C, tachycardia, and low blood pressure. Laboratory testing demonstrated leukocytosis with left shift and significant elevation of C-reactive protein. Stool and blood cultures were obtained, and he was admitted for fluid challenge and antibiotic treatment. On the second day of admission, he suffered from sudden onset of severe, diffuse abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed muscle guarding, rebounding tenderness, and silent bowel sound. Abdominal X-ray showed subdiaphragmatic free air at standing view. The patient underwent emergent exploratory laparotomy, which revealed sigmoid colon perforation about 0.5 cm. Enterolysis and repair of sigmoid colon were performed. Intraoperative stool specimen nucleic acid amplification testing had turned positive for Campylobacter spp. with negative results for other bacterial pathogens. His symptoms improved and he tolerated food well, and was discharged 15 days after admission. CONCLUSIONS: We present this case because of the rarity of Campylobacter-induced sigmoid colon perforation in the pediatric population. It is important to keep in mind that sigmoid colon perforation can be due to an infectious cause, and one of the culprits can be Campylobacter. Infectious colitis caused by Campylobacter spp. should be managed cautiously and the use of antimotility agents in such conditions should be considered judiciously.

Corrigendum: Donor Size Doesn't Impact En Bloc Kidney Transplant Outcomes: A Single-Center Experience and Review of Literature.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/ti.2022.10731.].

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a female presenting with status asthmaticus: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a non-ischemic syndrome characterized by transient acute left ventricular dysfunction as evident on transthoracic echocardiography. It can often mimic myocardial ischemia and is characterized by the absence of angiographic evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Reports of Takotsubo syndrome in elderly with asthma exacerbations have been noted. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of TCM in a 68-year-old female who presented with acute shortness of breath secondary to status asthmaticus. Her electrocardiogram showed ST segment elevations in multiple coronary artery distributions and mildly elevated troponin levels. Coronary angiography showed no significant stenosis of the coronary arteries with left ventriculography that showed systolic apical ballooning with a 10% ejection fraction, consistent with TCM. CONCLUSIONS: Takotsubo syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with status asthmaticus and elevated troponin levels on admission. Patients should be asked about the use of beta agonist prior to admission. A thorough literature review including a summary of 11 previously published case reports of TCM with acute asthma exacerbations has been presented.