BMJ case reports
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This case illustrates that d-dimer is elevated in patients with acute aortic dissection. A 49-year-old woman presented with central, crushing chest pain exacerbated on inspiration. The chest pain was associated with right-leg numbness and pain, although peripheral pulses and blood pressures were normal. ⋯ A differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and acute aortic dissection was made. CT-angiogram showed type B aortic dissection. This case report highlights the mounting evidence that d-dimer is elevated in practically all incidents of aortic dissection and could be useful as a negative predictive marker.
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A 7-year-old known asthmatic presented with an acute severe asthma attack to the Accident and Emergency department. Following a poor response to salbutamol and ipratropium nebulisers, he was given intravenous salbutamol and aminophylline. Over the course of the following 3 h, there was improvement in his bronchospasm with decreasing oxygen requirement, however, his respiratory rate showed an upward trend. ⋯ His blood gases and lactate level returned to normal within 3 h after stopping intravenous salbutamol. He was recommended on salbutamol nebulisers while still continuing on intravenous aminophylline. He continued to improve and was discharged home after 4 days.
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Alteplase used for thrombolysis in ischaemic stroke may be complicated by orolingual acute angioedema (OAA), a rare but potentially life-threatening side effect. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman who over 24 h experienced OAA after thrombolysis for an acute ischaemic left hemispheric stroke. We discuss the pathophysiology of this rare phenomenon.
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A 64-year-old man presented to casualty with blurred vision and pain in his left eye, 2 h after inadvertently instilling clear nail glue into his eye instead of postoperative Timolol eye drops. The glue was removed at the slit lamp revealing a corneal abrasion, which was managed with topical antibiotics. ⋯ This case report highlights the continuing problem of cyanoacrylate eye injuries and serves as a reminder to healthcare professionals to report such incidents to manufacturers and regulatory bodies, on behalf of their patients, to promote the introduction of universal safety mechanisms on all household chemical containers. Failure of glue manufacturers to introduce safety cap mechanisms has resulted in significant ocular morbidity over the last 27 years, and such incidents are expected to occur until superglue bottles are redesigned.