Different Strokes: A management dilemma.

Stroke is a common medical emergency resulting from numerous pathophysiological mechanisms and with varied clinical manifestations; as such, the diagnosis of stroke requires diligent clinical assessment. When different stroke syndromes occur in the same patient, it may cause a dilemma in terms of diagnosis and management. This continuing medical education article describes an interesting patient with recurrent neurological events, highlighting the complex pathophysiological processes associated with cerebrovascular syndromes. It offers readers the opportunity to apply their own basic neuroscience knowledge and clinical skills to solve the challenges encountered during the course of diagnosing and treating this patient. Specifically, the article aims to familiarise readers with an approach to diagnosing brainstem strokes and the diverse manifestations of a common stroke syndrome.

Hepatic or Cystic Artery Pseudoaneurysms Following a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Literature review of aetiopathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis and management.

Pseudoaneurysms (PSAs) of the hepatic and/or cystic artery are a rare complication following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Generally, PSA cases present with haemobilia several weeks following the procedure. Transarterial embolisation (TAE) is considered the optimal management approach. We report a 70-year-old woman who presented to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in 2016 with massive hemoperitoneum two weeks after undergoing a LC procedure in another hospital. She was successfully managed using coil TAE. An extensive literature review revealed 101 cases of hepatic or cystic artery PSAs following a LC procedure. Haemobilia was the main presentation (85.1%) and the mean time of postoperative presentation was 36 days. The hepatic artery was involved in most cases (88.1%), followed by the cystic artery (7.9%) and a combination of both (4.0%). Most cases were managed with TAE (72.3%), with a 94.5% success rate. The overall mortality rate was 2.0%.

Safety and Complications of Double-Lumen Tunnelled Cuffed Central Venous Dialysis Catheters: Clinical and radiological perspective from a tertiary centre in Oman.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the technical success, safety and immediate and delayed complications of double-lumen tunnelled cuffed central venous catheters (TVCs) at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman. METHODS: This retrospective study took place between January 2012 and October 2013. The clinical records and radiological data of all patients who underwent ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided TVC placement at SQUH during the study period were reviewed. Demographic data and information regarding catheter placement, technical success and peri- and post-procedure complications (such as catheter-related infections or thrombosis) were collected. RESULTS: A total of 204 TVCs were placed in 161 patients. Of these, 68 were female (42.2%) and 93 were male (57.8%). The mean age of the patients was 54.4 ± 17.3 years. The most common reason for catheter placement was the initiation of dialysis (63.4%). A total of 203 procedures were technically successful (99.5%). The right internal jugular vein was the most common site of catheter placement (74.9%). Mild haemorrhage which resolved spontaneously occurred in 11 cases (5.4%). No other complications were observed. Subsequent follow-up data was available for 132 catheters (65.0%); of these, thrombosis-related catheter malfunction was observed in 22 cases (16.7%) and catheter-related infection in 29 cases (22.0%). CONCLUSION: Radiological-guided placement of tunnelled haemodialysis catheters can be performed safely with excellent technical success. The success rate of catheter insertion at SQUH was favourable in comparison with other studies reported in the literature.

Ovarian Vein Thrombophlebitis: An unusual cause of postpartum fever and abdominal pain.

Ovarian vein thrombophlebitis is an uncommon, but potentially serious, complication of complicated deliveries. Prolonged rupture of membranes prior to delivery is a pre-disposing factor. We report a case of a patient with prolonged ruptured membranes, who developed right ovarian vein thrombophlebitis. The patient was managed medically and responded favourably to treatment.