BMJ case reports
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Fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common form of fetal tachycardia. If started early in pregnancy, it can cause non-immune fetal hydrops. Echocardiography is the preferred method for the diagnosis with simultaneous pulsed Doppler recording from the superior vena cava and ascending aorta. ⋯ We present a case of fetal SVT detected at 26 weeks of pregnancy. Digoxin therapy restored the rhythm initially, but later paroxysms of fetal SVT persisted necessitating the addition of second antiarrhythmic medication which was discussed with the parents. The couple chose to proceed for premature delivery at 32 weeks.
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West Nile virus (WNV) is still the most common cause of neuroinvasive arboviral disease in the USA with a case death of 10-30%. We are reporting a case of a 61-year-old woman with a history of Crohn's disease, fibromyalgia treated with chronic steroid therapy that presented with a day history of fever, confusion and lethargy. ⋯ A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose WNND, and this should be suspected in elderly immunocompromised patient presenting with altered mental status and lumbar puncture suggestive of aseptic meningitis. Recent study has showed that there is genetic variation in the interferon response pathway which is associated with both risk for symptomatic WNV infection and disease progression.
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A 63-year-old man underwent endoscopic evaluation of the rectal stump for rectal bleeding and suffered a massive cerebral air embolism with severe neurological impairment and subsequent death. The patient underwent a Hartmann's procedure 9 month previously for ischaemic bowel and was noted to have portal hypertension at laparotomy. We hypothesise that air entered the venous plexus around rectum and entered the azygos vein via a porto-systemic shunt and travelled retrogradely via the superior vena cava to the venous sinuses of the brain.
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A 52-year-old man presented with a history of sudden onset diplopia. On neurological examination, the only abnormality was a right-sided oculomotor (third nerve) palsy. A brain CT was performed and reported as showing no abnormality. ⋯ The patient underwent an emergency resection and made a good postoperative recovery. This case report showed the importance of considering a cardiogenic source of emboli in patients who present with cerebral infarcts. Performing echocardiography early will help to detect treatable conditions such as atrial myxoma, and prevent further complications.
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We describe a 73-year-old man with Crohn's disease and previous sternotomies, who developed Salmonella sternoclavicular osteomyelitis subsequent to a Salmonella enteritidis sepsis and closed fracture of his clavicle. We include evidence from several cases related to sternoclavicular osteomyelitis, and Salmonella osteomyelitis. We continue by summarising the aetologies of these diseases, and risk factors that predispose to them.