Unveiling a Unique Presentation of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Succeeding a Traumatic Motor Vehicle Crash and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Lead Placement.

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, once a rarity, has seen an uptick in cases with diverse origins. While this disease process is clinically diagnosable, imaging modalities and tissue biopsies further refine interventions. The clinical presentation includes but is not limited to edema of the arms, neck, and head, facial plethora, cyanosis, and or distention of subcutaneous vessels. SVC syndrome can be attributed to extrinsic compression or thrombosis in many cases. If symptoms are not life-threatening, the overall morbidity is based on the underlying root cause. Few cases have been reported with associated death due to epistaxis. However, the obstruction itself can be initially asymptomatic and then slowly progress over months to years. This case report highlights a distinct instance of SVC syndrome with notable risk factors: implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement and prior cardiac trauma status post-intervention.

Post-COVID-19 Neurological Sequelae of Polyneuropathy and Encephalitis: A Comprehensive Case Report.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, commonly known as COVID-19, has been associated with various neurological complications. However, the mechanisms underlying these neurological manifestations remain incompletely understood. We present a case of a 63-year-old male who was admitted to the intensive care unit with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Following recovery from respiratory symptoms, he was found to have weakness in the limbs. Months later, he also developed altered mental status, hallucinations, and behavioral changes. Neurological examination revealed signs consistent with polyneuropathy and autoimmune encephalitis. Further investigations, including nerve conduction studies, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and response to steroids, supported the diagnosis of COVID-19-related polyneuropathy and autoimmune encephalitis. This is a rare presentation of COVID-19 and has only been described in a few case reports. Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neurological sequelae of COVID-19 and to develop targeted therapeutic strategies.

Infective Endocarditis Manifesting as Severe Elevation in Serum Aminotransferases in the Absence of Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation, Heart Failure, or Shock: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a challenging condition to diagnose, given its protean clinical signs and symptoms, Elevation in serum aminotransferases in IE is associated with valvular regurgitation, acute heart failure, or congestive hepatopathy. Studies show co-existing liver failure portends worsening outcomes in IE and poses a challenge for successful surgical management. Here we report a diagnostic challenge in a 35-year-old man with IE presenting predominantly with gastrointestinal symptoms and severe elevation in serum aminotransferase. The degree of aminotransferase elevation in our patient prompted consideration of alternative causes like acetaminophen toxicity. Severe elevation in aminotransferases as an initial presentation in the absence of significant valvular regurgitation, acute right heart failure, or shock is uncommon. A high degree of suspicion is required to diagnose IE when patients present with atypical signs and symptoms to avoid delay in initiation of antibiotics and improve overall morbidity and mortality.

Falling Through the Cracks: The Need to Include Acute Pancreatitis in Risk Assessment Models for Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis.

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition caused by an insult to the pancreas. Pancreatitis is associated with local and systemic complications such as splenic vein thrombosis and systemic inflammatory response syndromes (SIRS), respectively. Pancreatitis increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) through a combination of increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and systemic vascular injury. However, DVT and pulmonary embolism remain under-recognized and underappreciated complications of acute pancreatitis as they fall through the cracks in the commonly used venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment model. We therefore propose that VTE prophylaxis needs to be considered by all clinicians when admitting and evaluating patients with acute pancreatitis and that acute pancreatitis needs to be included on the various VTE risk assessment calculators as it is a significant risk factor for the development of VTE.