A Case of Streptobacillus moniliformis Infection with Cutaneous Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis.

A 71-year-old man presented with a high fever, polyarthralgia, petechiae and palpable purpura accompanied by livedoid change on his legs and feet. Histopathological findings of the purpura revealed perivascular infiltration of neutrophils, mononuclear cells, and nuclear debris, and extravasation of red cells mainly in the upper dermis: all signs consistent with leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Small vessel thrombi, which are characteristic features of septic vasculopathy, were also observed. Direct immunofluorescence showed negative results. Blood culture revealed the growth of gram-negative bacilli. Subsequently, 16S rRNA sequencing of DNA confirmed the organism as Streptobacillus moniliformis, which is the causative pathogen of rat-bite fever. He had frequently encountered wild rats in his house although there was no evidence of rat bite on his body. Empiric therapy with intravenous administration of ceftriaxone in combination with azithromycin hydrate led to a prompt resolution of the symptoms. Precise history-taking related to contact with rats and detection of skin eruptions suggestive of leukocytoclastic vasculitis on the extremities, especially on the feet, can be clues to Streptobacillus moniliformis infection. Familiarity with its cutaneous features is important for early diagnosis; the evidence herein may also help in understanding its underlying pathogenesis.

[Pain management using patient controlled epidural analgesia for transient osteoporosis of the hip in pregnancy].

We report the case of a 37-year-old woman who developed severe pain in bilateral legs and hip in the eighth month of pregnancy. She was diagnosed as transient osteoporosis of the hip in pregnancy by the MRI findings. NSAID is contraindicated for late pregnancy, and we selected epidural analgesia for the pain management of this case. Patient controlled epidural analgesia was effective and no complication occurred in both patient and baby. After delivery, diclofenac sodium was administered for three weeks. Complete clinical improvement was observed in the seventh month after delivery.

[Airway obstruction after tracheostomy in a neurologically impaired child].

A 14-year-old boy neurologically impaired was scheduled for tracheostomy under general anesthesia because of the prolonged tracheal intubation. He had twice received artificial respiration under tracheal intubation for aspiration pneumonia. During emergence from anesthesia, bucking occurred and suddenly the patient's lungs could not be ventilated. Neither anesthetic circuit nor tracheostomy tube were not functioning well, and airway obstruction was not relieved by manual and positive pressure ventilation within 40 mmHg. SpO2 gradually decreased to 48%, resulting in bradicardia. However, it became possible to inflate the lungs immediately because of the respiratory effort decreased. SpO2 rapidly increased to normal range and heart rate recovered. The patient was suspected of having tracheomalacia as a result of flexible bronchoscopy performed through tracheostomy tube, revealing slight collapse of the trachea. Tracheomalacia can be a cause of sudden difficult ventilation in neurologically impaired children.