A&A practice
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Congenital hernias, frequently misdiagnosed during pregnancy, are potentially fatal and require prompt repair. A pregnant woman with medical history of repaired congenital hernia was admitted with misdiagnosis of preeclampsia. Physical examination and chest x-ray revealed a Bochdalek hernia. ⋯ A multidisciplinary team was present in the operating room. All monitoring catheters were placed in advance in the intensive care unit. During recovery, the patient experienced ventricular fibrillation, presumed to be a manifestation of takotsubo syndrome, which responded favorably to cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
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Pericarditis is a source of chest pain that can be chronic and debilitating. We describe a patient diagnosed with pericarditis with chest pain refractory to medical management. ⋯ Possible reasons for this result may include incomplete transection, a significant contribution of pain signaling from the phrenic and/or vagus nerve, or nerve regeneration. Literature describing these interventional techniques for pericardial pain is sparse, and more research is needed to determine their efficacy in refractory pericardial pain.
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In severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, data are lacking on methods to measure and set optimal positive end-expiratory pressure. We present a 2-year-old girl with Trisomy 21 who developed severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and refractory hypoxemia from human metapneumovirus pneumonia. ⋯ The patient improved and survived without sequelae. Our case suggests that transpulmonary pressure monitoring should be studied as an adjunct to improve outcomes in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.
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Case Reports
Use of the Novel C-MAC Video Stylet in a Case of Predicted Difficult Intubation: A Case Report.
Video laryngoscopes are commonly used to manage difficult airways, among other devices. However, they present a challenge when inserting the blade in patients with a limited mouth opening, and an adequate visualization of the glottis does not always translate into successful intubation. The C-MAC Video-Stylet-with its small diameter and flexible tip-offers an effective alternative. We describe the successful use of the novel C-MAC Video-Stylet to secure the airway in a patient with minimal mouth opening due to the side effects of previous neck surgery and radiation therapy.
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Case Reports
Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients With Chronic Pain and Restless Legs Syndrome: A Case Report.
Restless legs syndrome can be a debilitating condition that affects a patient's ability to function and their quality of life. Neuromodulation may represent a potential option for nonpharmacological management of restless legs syndrome. ⋯ After neuromodulation, all 3 patients had improvement in their restless legs syndrome symptoms and were taking less pain medication, and 2 out of 3 had significantly improved functionality at short-term follow-up. This case series suggests that spinal cord stimulation may be a viable nonpharmacological treatment option for medically refractory restless legs syndrome.