ABSTRACT
Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by the presence of a nonfunctional lobe of the lung being separated in both blood flow and function from the rest of the lung. The condition may go unrecognized on prenatal imaging and present during adolescence and young adulthood with cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and recurrent pneumonia. However, some patients may remain asymptomatic until later adulthood and be diagnosed based on incidental imaging findings. Surgical resection is the recommended treatment for this condition, although controversy exists regarding its use in asymptomatic patients and adults. In this case report, we present a case of a 66-year-old man who presented with progressively worsening dyspnea on exertion and atypical chest pain and underwent an ischemic workup to rule out coronary artery disease. The extensive diagnostic evaluation led to the diagnosis of nonobstructive coronary artery disease and left-sided pulmonary sequestration. The patient subsequently underwent surgical resection of the left lower pulmonary lobe, resulting in a significant improvement in symptoms.
ABSTRACT
Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) is a mosquito-borne orthobunyavirus that causes an acute febrile illness, meningitis or meningoencephalitis. Human infections in the USA are rare. A 59-year-old man was admitted with fever, headache and hallucinations and required transfer to intensive care due to worsening agitation. Lumbar puncture was significant for neutrophilic pleocytosis, low glucose and high protein. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) bacterial cultures were negative, however, the CSF analysis via ELISA returned positive for JCV IgM. Plaque reduction neutralisation tests on a serum sample revealed IgM for JCV with titres of 1:160, which confirmed the diagnosis of JCV meningoencephalitis as the titres for other arboviruses were low. The patient improved significantly with supportive care. Our case highlights an atypical laboratory presentation of neutrophilic pleocytosis on CSF in a viral meningoencephalitis and draws attention to the potential cross-reactivity with other arboviruses.
Subject(s)
Culicidae , Encephalitis Virus, California , Meningoencephalitis , Animals , Humans , Immunoglobulin M , Laboratories , Male , Meningoencephalitis/diagnosis , Meningoencephalitis/drug therapy , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Lemierre syndrome (LS) is an acute oropharyngeal infection with secondary septic thrombophlebitis and distant septic embolisation. A 29-year-old woman with sore throat, dyspnoea and left shoulder pain, who was on levofloxacin for 3 days, presented with worsening symptoms. She was tachycardic, tachypneic and hypoxic on presentation. CT of neck and chest revealed multiple loculated abscesses on her left lower neck and shoulder, right peritonsillar abscess, thrombosis of the right external jugular vein and multiple bilateral septic emboli to the lungs. She was started on clindamycin and ampicillin sulbactam for LS. She developed septic shock and required intubation due to respiratory failure. Drainage of the left shoulder abscess grew Fusobacterium nucleatum After 2 weeks of a complicated intensive care unit stay, her haemodynamic status improved and she was transferred to the floor. LS has variable presentations, but regardless of the presentation, it is a potentially fatal disease-requiring prompt diagnosis and management.
Subject(s)
Fusobacterium Infections , Lemierre Syndrome , Peritonsillar Abscess , Pharyngitis , Thrombophlebitis , Adult , Female , Fusobacterium Infections/diagnosis , Fusobacterium Infections/drug therapy , Fusobacterium necrophorum , Fusobacterium nucleatum , Humans , Jugular Veins/diagnostic imaging , Lemierre Syndrome/diagnosis , Lemierre Syndrome/drug therapy , Thrombophlebitis/diagnostic imaging , Thrombophlebitis/drug therapyABSTRACT
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can invade locally through the renal vein and into the inferior vena cava (IVC) with tumor-thrombus formation reported in 5%-15% of patients. From the IVC, RCC can grow intravascularly and extend into the right atrium. We present a rare case with two uncommon findings: tumor-thrombus extension leading to a right atrial mass and initial presentation of RCC as heart failure. A 69-year-old woman presented with signs and symptoms of heart failure. Electrocardiogram was normal and the initial troponin level was mildly elevated to 0.09 ng/mL. Echocardiography revealed a dilated right atrium with a 6.9 cm x 3.8 cm echogenic mass consistent with a tumor impinging on the tricuspid valve leading to a functional stenosis. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed a large right-sided renal mass with enlargement of the renal vein suggestive of tumor thrombus. Although the initial presentation of RCC with cardiac symptoms is surprising, this case highlights the importance of maintaining a comprehensive differential diagnosis. It also signifies the need for further imaging as not all atrial masses are cardiac tumors. Many other primary tumors - kidney, liver, lung, and thyroid - can directly invade or metastasize into the atrium by way of the vena cava.
ABSTRACT
A 42-year-old woman with a remote history of smoking and recently diagnosed anorectal cancer presented with typical anginal chest pain, dyspnea, palpitations, and hallucinations. She was started on continuous 5-flurouracil (5-FU) infusion five days before presentation. Her physical examination was significant for bilateral bibasilar crackles and tachycardia. Her bloodwork was significant for an increased troponin and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Electrocardiogram (EKG) showed sinus tachycardia with ST elevation in multiple contiguous leads, whereas transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed estimated ejection fraction of 17% with severe global hypokinesis with apical akinesis and matted thrombus at the apex. Coronary angiogram showed 20% occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. She was diagnosed with 5-FU induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by left ventricular (LV) thrombosis. 5-FU was discontinued, uridine triacetate was given as reversal agent. Aspirin and apixaban were started for three months for LV thrombosis. Her six-week TTE showed return of normal heart function with resolution of LV thrombosis.