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Cureus Dec 2023Hamman's syndrome (HS) is characterised by spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. It is a rare phenomenon that can occur during labour. Its incidence...
Hamman's syndrome (HS) is characterised by spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. It is a rare phenomenon that can occur during labour. Its incidence is 1 in 100,000 births and predominantly affects young primiparous women with prolonged labour. Patients commonly present with subcutaneous emphysema, chest pain, and dyspnoea. We present the case of a 20-year-old primigravida female with no other medical history who had prolonged labour at 43 weeks gestation. Sudden-onset, right-sided cheek pain and swelling was noted immediately after delivery accompanied by pleuritic chest pain. Chest X-ray (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated significant pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium with subcutaneous emphysema extending to the neck. She was managed symptomatically in addition to antibiotics and discharged after three days with complete resolution of symptoms. No concerns were raised during the follow-up. HS is a rare phenomenon that can occur during labour, particularly in young primiparous females with a prolonged second stage. Radiological investigations in the form of CXR and CT are recommended to rule out life-threatening complications and other conditions that may require immediate management. HS occurs due to rupture of peripheral alveoli secondary to increased intrathoracic pressures from excessive Valsalva manoeuvre allowing air to dissect and enter into the mediastinum. Pneumopericardium in association with HS is extremely rare. It is particularly clinically important because it can cause cardiac tamponade requiring immediate surgical management. HS is otherwise a self-limiting condition and management is symptomatic only. Our case is unique due to the presence of pneumopericardium in association with HS, the fourth ever reported in the literature. Due to its rarity, the incidence of tamponade in this cohort of patients is yet to be delineated.
PubMed: 38249191
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50850 -
Medicina Clinica Apr 2024Shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Our aim was to describe the clinical, radiological, and functional characteristics...
INTRODUCTION
Shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Our aim was to describe the clinical, radiological, and functional characteristics of a cohort with SLS and its evolution over time.
METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted between 2009 and 2018. Demographic, clinical, functional, radiological, and treatment data were collected.
RESULTS
Out of a total of 225 patients, 11 presented with SLS (prevalence of 4.8%). Two patients were excluded. The mean age was 39.33±16 years, and 6 were female. The main symptoms were dyspnea and pleuritic pain. The mean forced vital capacity was 49%, total lung capacity was 60%, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity was 66%, carbon monoxide transference factor was 128%, maximal inspiratory pressure was 66%, and maximal expiratory pressure was 82%. All patients received corticosteroids. After a median follow-up of 19 months, 4 cases showed improvement, and 4 cases remained stable.
CONCLUSIONS
SLS should be considered in every lupus patient with unexplained dyspnea. Although it often shows improvement, many cases experience persistent deterioration despite treatment.
Topics: Humans; Female; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Male; Retrospective Studies; Carbon Monoxide; Syndrome; Lung Diseases; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Dyspnea; Digestive System Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Lung
PubMed: 38195280
DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.10.023 -
Cureus Dec 2023Shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) is a rare complication of autoimmune and connective tissue diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 35-year-old female patient,...
Shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) is a rare complication of autoimmune and connective tissue diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 35-year-old female patient, diagnosed with SLE, came to the hospital complaining of severe dyspnea and pleuritic pain for several months that was worsening on exertion. Imaging (X-ray and CT scan) of the chest at the time of presentation showed bilateral basal atelectasis with elevated diaphragm. Pulmonary function test (PFT) showed restrictive findings including forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) of 37%, total lung capacity of 40%, and vital capacity of 32% predicted with a restrictive pattern on flow volume loop confirming the diagnosis of SLS. The treatment focused on methotrexate and rituximab. Patients with a known history of SLE who start respiratory symptoms like cough and dyspnea should be ruled out of SLS at the earliest as it can be deadly in the later stages.
PubMed: 38192926
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50229 -
Cureus Nov 2023Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is a rare disease found incidentally in postmortem autopsies, characterized by microscopic to large verrucous vegetation on the...
Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is a rare disease found incidentally in postmortem autopsies, characterized by microscopic to large verrucous vegetation on the cardiac valves, the most affected site is the mitral valve followed by the aortic valve. Females of reproductive age were observed as the most affected individuals as found in studies. Most individuals with LSE are asymptomatic and generally discovered lately when they presented with thromboembolic disorders such as stroke, cognitive disabilities, and death. Malignancy and autoimmune diseases involving systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are considered the primary etiology of LSE. As recognized, the majority of LSE cases are asymptomatic, it tends to be challenging to spot the condition at the early pathway of the disease. In this paper, we describe a young female who is known to have SLE on medications, she presented to the emergency department (ED) due to chest pain and exertional dyspnea for a few days, laboratory investigations showed anemia, raised inflammatory marker, and anti-DsDNA. Imaging studies showed bilateral pleural effusion on the chest X-ray and a large vegetation on the posterior mitral valve with moderate regurgitation and normal wall motion in transesophageal echocardiography. The patient was managed by pulse steroid therapy, anticoagulation therapy, and a low dose of diuretic, the patient improved dramatically and discharged home with close follow-up in the clinic. The primary treatment of LSE is anticoagulant therapy, however, surgical intervention should be considered in case of large vegetation recurrent thromboembolism despite anticoagulant therapy. As the prognosis in LSE is considered very poor and there is no definitive laboratory investigation exists to confirm the diagnosis, we highlight the importance of considering LSE as a serious and crucial differential diagnosis when dealing with SLE patients who presented with dyspnea and pleural effusion secondary to valvular dysfunction, mainly the mitral valve.
PubMed: 38161949
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49672 -
BMJ Case Reports Dec 2023A female patient in her mid-60s presented with progressive shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain and bilateral leg swelling for 1 week. Initial diagnostic workup...
A female patient in her mid-60s presented with progressive shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain and bilateral leg swelling for 1 week. Initial diagnostic workup revealed pericardial effusion, and a localised pericardial tubular mass on CT chest. Pericardial fluid analysis showed elevated white cells, with predominance of medium-large sized atypical lymphoid cells. Atypical lymphocytes stained positive for CD79a, CD10, PAX-5, BCL-2 and BCL6. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation testing demonstrated MYC and BCL6 rearrangements without BCL2 gene rearrangement. The overall morphological, immunohistochemical and cytogenetic findings supported a diagnosis of high-grade B cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL6 rearrangements. After extensive staging workup, localised disease involving the pericardium with a diagnosis of primary cardiac large B cell lymphoma was established. She was treated with dose-adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and rituximab chemotherapy. Rituximab was discontinued owing to largely absent CD20 expression. Interim positron emission tomography-CT after three cycles revealed a complete response, and the patient completed six cycles of therapy.
Topics: Humans; Female; Rituximab; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Cyclophosphamide; Vincristine; Prednisone; Doxorubicin; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
PubMed: 38151268
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-256167 -
Cureus Nov 2023Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition that requires urgent treatment. We present the case of a 76-year-old male referred to our medical team with dyspnoea,...
Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition that requires urgent treatment. We present the case of a 76-year-old male referred to our medical team with dyspnoea, shortness of breath on exertion, and chest pain. Upon further questioning, the patient reported a two-week history of right-sided parasternal pleuritic chest pain without radiation. He denied any history of haemoptysis, calf swelling or pain, recent surgery, and reduced mobility. The patient had a medical history of bilateral cataracts, glaucoma, and hypertension. Clinical examination was unremarkable except for requiring 2L/minute supplemental oxygen to maintain an oxygen saturation of 94%, and blood tests were unremarkable, including a normal D-dimer. Chest radiography revealed no obvious pathological findings. However, the electrocardiogram showed a right bundle branch, sinus tachycardia, and an S1Q3T3 pattern. A computed tomography pulmonary angiogram confirmed pulmonary emboli within the right lower lobe segmental artery, extending into the bilateral basal segmental branch and posterior basal segmental branch. The patient was commenced on low molecular weight heparin initially followed by rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily. This case highlights the importance of having a high degree of suspicion for pulmonary embolism, and D-dimer is an important screening test that can be normal.
PubMed: 38149149
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49433 -
Germs Sep 2023is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacillus that is most often found as an enteric commensal. It is seldom considered to be pathogenic in immunocompetent...
INTRODUCTION
is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacillus that is most often found as an enteric commensal. It is seldom considered to be pathogenic in immunocompetent individuals.
CASE REPORT
We describe a case of a 23-year-old, previously healthy male, who presented to the emergency department with a two-day history of hemoptysis, mild dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, fevers, and chills. Bloods revealed leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein. Chest X-ray and CT of the thorax revealed a cavitating lesion in the right upper lobe. He was commenced on empiric antibiotic treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanate and clarithromycin for community-acquired pneumonia in accordance with local guidelines. He subsequently underwent a bronchoscopy, and the bronchoalveolar lavage sample revealed a heavy growth of . Despite the widely documented natural resistance of to penicillin, the patient demonstrated complete resolution of his symptoms and initial raised inflammatory markers.
CONCLUSIONS
We present a case of community-acquired cavitary pneumonia in a previously healthy young adult with isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage samples. Parallels are drawn between our case and other cases of respiratory isolates in our discussion of its clinical significance.
PubMed: 38146385
DOI: 10.18683/germs.2023.1398 -
BMJ Case Reports Dec 2023A pregnant woman in her early 30s, at 20 weeks of gestational age, presented with recurrent haemoptysis, pleuritic chest pain and a productive cough of 6 months...
A pregnant woman in her early 30s, at 20 weeks of gestational age, presented with recurrent haemoptysis, pleuritic chest pain and a productive cough of 6 months duration. She underwent CT pulmonary angiogram which demonstrated right pulmonary sequestration and right-sided consolidation. Pre-existing pulmonary comorbidities such as chronic inflammation, structural abnormalities or weakened blood vessels within the lungs can encourage the growth of abnormal blood vessels. During pregnancy, these dynamics can be further aggravated by increasing cardiac output to promote blood flow to the placenta and increasing oxygen delivery to the developing foetus. These changes likely cause increased blood flow to the pulmonary sequestration, resulting in haemoptysis. The patient was treated conservatively for community-acquired pneumonia with a course of oral amoxicillin 500 mg three times a day for 5 days, and she is doing well on follow-up.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Bronchopulmonary Sequestration; Cough; Hemoptysis; Lung; Pneumonia; Adult
PubMed: 38114298
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-256568 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease Nov 2023Pulmonary infarction (PI) is an uncommon complication of pulmonary embolism (PE). The risk factors of PI are still relatively unclear.
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary infarction (PI) is an uncommon complication of pulmonary embolism (PE). The risk factors of PI are still relatively unclear.
METHODS
This was a single-center retrospective review conducted on 500 patients with PE. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 386 patients diagnosed with PE were enrolled in our study. These patients were then categorized into the PI group (n=64) and the non-PI group (n=322). A comparison was conducted between the two groups regarding the clinical characteristics.
RESULTS
The occurrence of PI secondary to PE was 16.58%. In univariate analysis, recent trauma (21.9% 9.9%, P=0.007), pleuritic chest pain (46.9% 17.4%, P<0.001), hemoptysis (29.7% 2.5%, P<0.001), fever (26.6% 8.1%, P<0.001), lower limb edema/pain (37.5% 14.0%, P<0.001), white blood cell (WBC) counts (37.5% 24.5%, P=0.032), C-reactive protein (CRP) (65.6% 41.3%, P<0.001), and pleural effusion (45.3% 18.6%, P<0.001) were associated with an increased risk of PI. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age [odds ratio (OR) 0.975, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.951-0.999, P=0.045], pleuritic chest pain (OR 2.878, 95% CI: 1.424-5.814, P=0.003), hemoptysis (OR 10.592, 95% CI: 3.503-32.030, P<0.001), lower limb edema/pain (OR 2.778, 95% CI: 1.342-5.749, P=0.006) and pleural effusion (OR 3.127, 95% CI: 1.531-6.388, P=0.002) were independent factors of PI due to PE. No significant difference was recorded between the two groups in treatment and mortality.
CONCLUSIONS
Young patients were found to be a higher risk of PI. Pleural effusion was found to be a factor for PI. PI should be considered when pleuritic chest pain, hemoptysis, or lower limb edema/pain are present with peripheral opacity.
PubMed: 38090315
DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-944 -
European Heart Journal. Case Reports Nov 2023Constrictive pericarditis associated with actinomycosis infection is a rare and challenging diagnosis due to its insidious manifestation. We describe the successful...
BACKGROUND
Constrictive pericarditis associated with actinomycosis infection is a rare and challenging diagnosis due to its insidious manifestation. We describe the successful treatment of pericardial infiltration and constriction due to actinomycosis.
CASE SUMMARY
A 50-year-old Aboriginal man presented with insidious onset of fatigue, dyspnoea, pleuritic chest pain, fever, drenching sweats, severe exercise intolerance to 50 m, and recurrent itchy skin lesions over 8 months. Prior investigations, including serial fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-Positron emission tomography scans, found a progressively enlarging, metabolically active anterior mediastinal mass with two biopsies on separate occasions showing no malignancy, granulomas, tuberculosis, or other pathology. Screening for infective, autoimmune, and connective tissue disease was negative. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed fibrinous pericarditis with extensive myocardial tethering and constrictive physiology confirmed on heart catheterization. A pericardial biopsy showed inflammatory tissue only. Biopsy of a skin lesion on the buttock showed abscess formation with Splendore Hoeppli phenomenon with Gram-positive and Grocott-positive filamentous bacteria suggestive of actinomyces, confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. He was diagnosed with cardiac actinomycosis, likely due to mediastinal infiltration from a lung infection, with haematogenous spread and treated with Penicillin G with adjunctive high-dose steroid therapy with resolution of symptoms and marked improvement in TTE features of constriction after 6 weeks.
DISCUSSION
Actinomycosis is an extremely rare cause of pericardial infiltration and constriction yet highly sensitive to penicillin, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis. Corticosteroids are a useful adjunct to prevent chronic constrictive pericarditis and to avoid the high morbidity and mortality associated with pericardiectomy.
PubMed: 38077408
DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytad510