Acta clinica Croatica
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Acta clinica Croatica · Apr 2023
Case ReportsWHOLE RANGE OF RESPIRATORY SUPPORT IN A PREGNANT WOMAN WITH A SEVERE FORM OF COVID-19 INFECTION: A CASE REPORT.
Acute respiratory syndrome caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in pregnant women can progress to a critical condition. In this paper, we present a case of a woman in the 28th week of gestation hospitalized due to respiratory insufficiency caused by COVID-19 infection and consequent bilateral pneumonia with development of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Noninvasive ventilation through a face mask was started but due to progression of respiratory insufficiency with high FiO2 and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), we decided to intubate the patient, after which obstetricians agreed to complete pregnancy by cesarean section. ⋯ Due to inadequate mechanical ventilation, the patient was transferred to Dr. Fran Mihaljević University Hospital for Infectious Diseases in order to perform extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Owing to all of the measures taken, recovery followed after 13 days on ECMO.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Apr 2023
Case ReportsEMERGENCY TRACHEOTOMY IN TRACHEAL STENOSIS - A CASE REPORT.
Airway management in an emergency department is the first step in critical care of an urgent patient. When orotracheal intubation is not possible due to upper airway obstruction, such an emergency is known as a 'cannot intubate - cannot ventilate' situation. Then, emergency tracheotomy is indicated. ⋯ Early postoperative care was complicated by incipient right-sided pneumonia, which may have provoked narrowing of the existing subglottic stenosis in the first place. Tracheal stenosis is an important differential diagnosis of airway obstruction in patients with previous malignant diseases of the upper respiratory system. Emergency physicians should promptly recognize these situations based on clinical examination to secure appropriate airway management.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Apr 2023
Case ReportsAWAKE FIBEROPTIC TRACHEAL INTUBATION AND AT-RISK EXTUBATION IN A PATIENT WITH ANTICIPATED DIFFICULT AIRWAY DUE TO POST-TRAUMATIC ANKYLOSIS OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINTS.
In this case report we present successful airway management in a patient with predicted difficult airway using the Difficult Airway Society guidelines. Our patient presented with recurrence of severely reduced mouth opening due to post-traumatic bilateral temporomandibular ankylosis, and was scheduled for surgical resection of the mandibular articular processes. Awake fiberoptic intubation was planned. ⋯ After a two-point check of the endotracheal tube placement the patient was put under anesthesia. The surgery was uneventful. Finally, a plan with surgeons for safe extubation was made and the patient was extubated uneventfully on the next day using the airway exchange catheter in the intensive care unit.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Apr 2023
PRECIPITATING FACTORS AND SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS.
The aim of the study was to determine the most common precipitating factors and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis and the possible difference according to age, gender and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis. Medical records from January 1, 2017 until December 31, 2019 were reviewed and patients diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis were selected. The study included 52 patients, median age 34 (interquartile range 21-56) years. ⋯ Nausea (median age 32 years; p=0.004) and vomiting (median age 31 years; p=0.01) were more common in younger age groups, while altered mental status was more common in the older age group (median age 61 years; p=0.001). Infection was the most common precipitating factor. The most common symptoms in younger age groups were nausea and vomiting, and altered mental status in the older age group.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Apr 2023
Case ReportsRARE INTRACRANIAL MULTIFOCAL NON-GERMINOMATOUS GERM CELL TUMOR IN AN 18-YEAR-OLD MALE: A CASE REPORT.
Intracranial germ cell tumors are rare brain tumors that are distinguished based on their histology and selected tumor markers. Non-germinomatous germ cell tumors are a diverse group of such tumors having the poorest prognosis. Most commonly, they are located in the suprasellar and pineal regions. ⋯ In conclusion, initial evaluation with neuroimaging, tumor markers, and cytology from cerebrospinal fluid is important as guidance to further treatment and prognosis. In selected cases, biopsy may not be indicated to start adjuvant chemotherapy. We emphasize the importance of specific treatment modality selection based mainly on tumor markers, regardless of the precise histologic classification.