Acute Mesenteric Ischemia in a Patient with COVID-19: A Case Report.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents clinical manifestations similar to the influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV). However, in the course of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), various pathological complications of high clinical significance have remained unknown. Impaired blood supply to the visceral vascular system can cause serious life-threatening acute damage. We report a case of extensive acute mesenteric ischemia associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed in a patient hospitalized in Amin Hospital - a COVID-19 referral center in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. This case highlights the importance of paying attention to serious and less common or less known clinical manifestations other than fever, dry cough, dyspnea, and myalgia.

Four cases of adhered permanent double lumen hemodialysis catheters (Permcath).

Between September 2010 and January 2012, four patients in our hospital were observed to have permanent dialysis catheters that adhered to either the SVC or right atrium. The first patient underwent intraoperative fluoroscopy and was scheduled for cardiac surgery. Unfortunately due to metabolic disturbances, the patient's condition deteriorated and she died before surgery.  The second patient underwent cardio-thoracic surgery with mid-sternotomy and cardio-pulmonary bypass. The catheter was removed and another access route for hemodialysis was established. The third case was scheduled for interventional venocavagraphic exploration of the adhered Permcath. An endovascular snare was passed through the guide wire, which separated the catheter from the SVC. Finally, the fourth patient was a known case of Von Willebrand disease who was scheduled for interventional angiographic Permcath removal. Unfortunately, a few hours following the attempt at surgical removal of the Permcath, her condition deteriorated and she died. Several methods have been used to manage an adherent Permcath. It is assumed that the longer the catheter is in place, the probability of adhesion to the central veins increases. Histological changes have been demonstrated in the venous wall adjunct to the catheter.  Interventional venacavagraphic exploration of the catheter and snaring the adherent site of the catheter seems to be a valuable option.

Prognostic factors and outcome of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic diaphragmatic hernias commonly occur after blunt and penetrating trauma. The difficulties in diagnosing traumatic diaphragmatic rupture due to coexisting injuries and the silent nature of the diaphragmatic injuries at the first admission are the most common causes of delayed diagnosis. METHODS: The medical records of 34 patients (28 male, 6 female; mean age 32.3 years; range 1 to 68) treated for post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernias between August 2004 and June 2008 in Alzahra Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Rupture of the diaphragm was left-sided in 22 (64.7%) and right-sided in 11 (32.4%) and bilateral in 1 (2.9%) of the patients. Blunt trauma accounted for the injuries of 22 patients (64.7%). In the first operation, diagnosis was established preoperatively in 15 patients (44.1%) and intraoperatively in 13 (38.2%). The diagnosis was missed in 6 (17.7%) patients in the first operation. Strangulation of the viscera was seen in three patients. The longest interval between the onset of trauma and diagnosis was approximately three years in one case. Multiple associated injuries were observed in 22 patients (64.7%), the most common of which were spleen injury (38.2%), fractures of the extremities and hemothorax (29.4%) and liver injury (26.5%). Postoperative complications were seen in nine patients (26.5%). Mortality of isolated blunt traumatic rupture was 0%. Hemorrhagic shock, young age and associated injuries significantly increased the mortality and morbidity. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the incidence of diaphragmatic hernia is uncommon, it should be suspected in all blunt or penetrating traumas of the thorax and abdomen. Because late complications are usually associated with high morbidity, the presence of such an injury should be excluded before terminating the exploratory procedure.

Fever as the main presenting symptom of a carotid body tumor.

Carotid body tumor (paraganglioma) is a rare tumor which presents as a mass in the lateral part of the neck. It is typically a slow-growing and nonsymptomatic mass at the beginning. Fever is not an usual symptom of this tumor. Here, we report a 78- year-old woman presenting with this tumor as a cause of fever of unknown origin.