A&A practice
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Delivering safe anesthesia care in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner presents many unique challenges. We present a case report of how an MRI-conditional anesthesia machine malfunctioned after being pulled toward an MRI scanner during routine imaging, not previously reported in the literature. This near-miss event emphasizes the continued need for staff education and vigilance.
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The effects of critical illness on electroencephalographic (EEG) signatures of sedatives have not been described, limiting the use of EEG-guided sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU). We report the case of a 36-year-old man recovering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ⋯ The alpha power emerged as ARDS resolved. This case raises the question of whether inflammatory states can alter EEG signatures during sedation.
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Differential diagnosis of the underlying cause of new-onset total body paralysis can be challenging and unsatisfying. In akinetic mutism, a rare side effect of tacrolimus, patients become apathetic, mute, and lose voluntary muscle movement. ⋯ Delayed emergence/paralysis after anesthesia can include the common culprits of residual operative medications, stroke, as well as tacrolimus-induced akinetic mutism and thoracic epidural migration. We present a case of new-onset total body paralysis, presenting on postoperative day 1 following a double-lung transplant in a patient started on tacrolimus with a thoracic epidural catheter in place.
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Nasotracheal intubation is an essential component of anesthetic management for intraoral and mandibular surgeries. Direct nasotracheal intubation can occasionally be difficult and require an initial oral endotracheal tube (ETT) placement with subsequent conversion to a nasal ETT. ⋯ However, execution can be challenging and limited by available resources. This report re-examines conventional oral to nasal ETT conversion techniques and describes another innovative approach utilizing equipment more readily available in the operating room or as an option when difficulty is encountered with conventional conversion techniques.
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Case Reports
Anesthetic Considerations for an Adult With Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba Syndrome: A Case Report.
Anesthetic considerations for adults with Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, part of the PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) hamartoma tumor syndrome, are not well described. As patients may require surgical intervention for associated musculoskeletal, intestinal, oncologic, or soft tissue masses, knowledge of implications of anesthesia is necessary. ⋯ This report describes a patient with typical features, nonreassuring external airway anatomy, and developmental delay, which precluded an awake airway management technique. The airway was secured with the use of high-flow nasal oxygen and videolaryngoscopy.