The Chest Pain That Never Went Away: A Case of Complex Cardiopulmonary Pathologies in a 64-Year-Old Caucasian Male.

Chest pain is a common and complex symptom that can arise from various etiologies, ranging from benign musculoskeletal conditions to life-threatening cardiovascular events. It is a hallmark symptom of myocardial infarction, angina, and other ischemic heart diseases, necessitating prompt and thorough evaluation. Ongoing chest pain post-procedures and medication administration presents a diagnostic challenge, as it may be indicative of an exacerbation of underlying conditions. We present the case of a 64-year-old Caucasian male who initially presented with severe and persistent chest pain suggestive of an anterior wall ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). He had a history of coronary artery disease and had recently undergone cardiac catheterization. Despite prompt administration of nitroglycerin and aspirin, the patient's symptoms persisted, prompting emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Subsequent to PCI, ongoing chest discomfort persisted, prompting further investigation, which revealed a concurrent lung mass and nodules on imaging. Additional interventions, including repeated PCI procedures and thoracentesis, were undertaken. Unfortunately, the patient's clinical course rapidly deteriorated, culminating in cardiac arrest and unsuccessful resuscitative efforts. This case highlights the complexities inherent in managing intricate cardiovascular conditions and emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining vigilance for concomitant pathologies.

Acetabular Bone Cement Extension Leading to Bladder Obstruction: An Orthopedic Surgical Complication.

Polymethyl methacrylate, commonly known as bone cement, is widely used for implant fixation in orthopedic and trauma surgery due to its excellent adhesive properties and biocompatibility. However, complications such as bone cement extrusion, although rare, can lead to significant morbidity. We present the case of an 86-year-old Hispanic female who presented to the emergency department (ED) with tachycardia, hypertension, and respiratory distress. Her medical history included Parkinson's disease, hiatal hernia, osteoarthritis, colon cancer, and a complex post-hip fracture surgical history. Despite being bedridden, she had been previously in stable health. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a significant hiatal hernia, minimal remaining left lung tissue, a right lung nodule, hydronephrosis, and a large radiopaque mass in the right pelvis extending from the acetabular area. This radiopaque mass was later determined to be bone cement, with a portion extruding into the bladder. The patient was diagnosed with sepsis secondary to a urinary tract infection and hyponatremia; a urology consultation recommended a conservative approach to avoid potential antibiotic resistance. This case report highlights a rare complication of total hip arthroplasty involving bone cement extrusion into the bladder, which led to hydronephrosis and a urinary tract infection (UTI). Although such complications can be asymptomatic, they should be considered in patients with a history of arthroplasty.