Rare Cause (rare + cause)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


AORTO-DUODENAL FISTULA: MULTIDETECTOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND GASTRODUODENOSCOPY FINDINGS OF A RARE CAUSE OF UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL HEMORRHAGE

DIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 3 2007
Massimo De Filippo
An aorto-enteric fistula is a serious complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding may be a life-threatening condition that calls for immediate diagnosis and action. Morbidity and mortality remain high despite progress in diagnosis and therapeutic procedures. In the literature, the aorto-enteric fistula diagnostic suspicion by multidetector computed tomography scan is assumed on the basis of the interruption of the aortic wall, with the presence of duodenal gas situated to tightened contact with the aorta. We report a patient with an aorto-duodenal fistula associated with inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm detected by gastro-duodenoscopy and multidetector computed tomography scan, with gas found in the lumen of the abdominal aorta, between the aneurysm wall and the thrombus. [source]


Possible Paradoxical Embolism as a Rare Cause for an Acute Myocardial Infarction

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2006
Aleksandr Rovner M.D.
Paradoxical embolus is a rare entity and it has been incriminated as a cause of both cryptogenic strokes and myocardial infarctions (MI). Herein, we present a case of a patient diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism 1 week prior who now presented with an acute MI. Subsequent evaluation revealed a patent foramen ovale and a large thrombus in the right pulmonary artery. It was presumed that the etiology of her infarct was due to paradoxical embolus. The management of the patient is discussed and the literature is reviewed. [source]


Perineural Invasion of Sinonasal Lymphoma: A Rare Cause of Trigeminal Neuropathy

HEADACHE, Issue 2 2007
Chih-Wei Liang MD
Trigeminal neuropathy is characterized by sensory disturbance of the division of trigeminal nerve, and sometimes is associated with pain. Trigeminal neuropathy secondary to perineural invasion of sinonasal lymphoma is extremely rare. Likewise, sinonasal lymphoma is infrequently demonstrated initially with cranial neuropathy. The present case served to broaden the differential diagnosis of secondary trigeminal neuropathy and to alert clinicians to cautiously assess perineural spread of occult neoplasm in sinonasal tract and larynx or pharynx for cases with evolving trigeminal neuropathy or even other cranial nerve neuropathy in which no definite cause is identified. [source]


Klebsiella Pneumoniae: A Rare Cause of Device-Associated Endocarditis

PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
RAKESH K. PAI
Intravascular infections involving implanted pacemakers and defibrillators are being seen with increasing frequency. This report describes a case of intravascular infection of an implanted defibrillator with Klebsiella pneumoniae, an unusual pathogen for pacemaker or defibrillator infection. [source]


The Incidence of Spontaneous Epidural Abscess in Olmsted County from 1990 Through 2000: A Rare Cause of Spinal Pain

PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2007
Anne E. Ptaszynski MD
ABSTRACT Objective., The primary objective of this study is to determine the population-based incidence of spontaneous epidural abscess. The secondary objective is to characterize the clinical course of patients with this rare infectious disease. Design., The records-linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project was used to identify incident cases of spontaneous epidural abscess in residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA, from 1990 through 2000. Setting., Tertiary referral medical center. Patients., All patients were residents of Olmsted County and had spontaneous epidural abscesses that were radiographically or surgically confirmed. Results., Eight patients, including six women, were identified and the mean age was 56 years (range, 40,80). The incidence of epidural abscess was 0.88 cases per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 0.27,1.48). The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 18 days (interquartile range, 4,30 days). Six patients presented with spinal pain and one presented with focal neurological deficits. Risk factors were identified in all patients, including concomitant infections, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, and intravenous substance abuse. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured in six patients and streptococcal species were cultured in two patients. Three patients were treated surgically and five received medical treatment. One patient treated surgically and one patient treated medically had residual neurological deficits. One patient, who was immunosuppressed and received medical treatment died of pneumonia. Conclusions., This is the first published report of the population-based incidence of spontaneous epidural abscess. These findings could serve as a reference point for further epidemiological research related to this uncommon infection. [source]


Follicular Bronchiolitis: A Rare Cause of Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome After Lung Transplantation: A Case Report

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2009
R. Vos
This case report is the first confirmed case of follicular bronchiolitis (FB), a rare bronchiolar disorder characterized by peribronchiolar lymphoid follicles, in a series of over 400 lung transplantations performed in our center. It is to our knowledge, the first publication describing FB after lung transplantation (LTx), presenting as chronic allograft dysfunction or bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). [source]


A Rare Cause of Coronary Spasm: Epicardial Infiltration of a B-cell Lymphoma

CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 7 2009
Raffi Bekeredjian M.D.
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Rare cause of dyspnoea

INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009
R. A. Ghiculescu
Abstract Although primary amyloidosis is the most common systemic form of amyloidosis, its diagnosis remains notoriously difficult. Unless included in the differential diagnosis, the condition may be missed as a cause of severe and ultimately fatal clinical syndromes. We describe two patients with primary amyloidosis who presented with dyspnoea/orthopnoea and oedema due to cardiac and renal involvement. Both had a fatal outcome. [source]


Post-liver-transplant anemia: Etiology and management

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2004
Anurag Maheshwari
Anemia is common after liver transplantation, with the incidence ranging from 4.3% to 28.2% depending on the criteria used to define anemia. The cause of anemia is unidentified in the majority of patients, and it is likely to be multifactorial. Immunosuppressive-medication-induced bone marrow suppression is perhaps the most common cause of unexplained anemia. Chronic blood loss, iron deficiency, hemolysis, and renal insufficiency are other potential causes of chronic anemia. Rare causes, somewhat unique to transplantation, include aplastic anemia, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and lymphoproliferative disease. Anemia due to immunosuppressive medication is challenging, since almost all drugs currently used for this purpose cause anemia, but the renal-sparing property of sirolimus may benefit the subgroup in which renal insufficiency is contributing to anemia. Aplastic anemia is seen in young patients transplanted for non-A, non-B, non-C, fulminant hepatic failure. It is thought to be immunologically mediated, secondary to an unknown viral infection, and is associated with a grave prognosis. GVHD is another infrequent (approximately 1% of transplant recipients) but serious cause of severe anemia that carries a dismal prognosis. Lymphoproliferative disorder, too may rarely rare cause anemia and it may respond to reduction of immunosuppression. Recipients of solid-organ transplants do not mount a significant increase in erythropoietin in response to anemia. In conclusion, though there are no data on the response of anemia to erythropoietin in liver transplant recipients, it appears to benefit other solid-organ-transplant recipients with anemia. (Liver Transpl 2004;10:165,173.) [source]


Enterobacter sakazakii infection in the newborn

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 3 2001
B Bar-Oz
Enterobacter sakazakii, a Gram-negative bacillus, previously known as "yellow pigmented Enterobacter cloacae," is a rare cause of neonatal infection. We describe the detailed clinical presentation of two cases in whom E. sakazakii was isolated in our neonatal service during the course of 1 mo. These include one case of sepsis and meningitis complicated by cerebral infarction, and one case of sepsis. In addition, three cases of intestinal colonization were identified. The source of the organism was thoroughly sought and was found to be a blender in the milk kitchen that was used for preparation of the reconstituted powdered milk formula. Conclusion: Our paper adds clinical and laboratory information about the disease spectrum caused by this relatively rare organism and emphasizes the importance of a thorough search for the source of the infection. [source]


Genetic variants of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) in syndromes of severe insulin resistance.

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 10 2002
Functional analysis of Ala513Pro, Gly1158Glu IRS-
Abstract Aims To define further the role of IRS-1 mutations in human syndromes of severe insulin resistance. Methods The IRS-1 gene was scanned for mutations in 83 unrelated affected subjects and 47 unaffected individuals using fluorescent single-strand conformation polymorphism (fSSCP) analysis. A novel heterozygous mutation, Gly1158Glu, was found in one affected subject. Four and two subjects were heterozygous for the previously reported variants Gly972Arg and Ala513Pro, respectively. The previously identified variant Gly819Arg was found in one affected and one unaffected subject. While Gly972Arg has been described to alter the signalling properties of IRS-1, no functional studies of Ala513Pro or Gly1158Glu have been reported. Results Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably over-expressing the insulin receptor were transiently transfected with vectors expressing either wild-type, Glu1158 or Pro513 IRS-1. A modest increase in insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of Glu1158 IRS-1 was observed. However, this did not result in any significant change in the association of Grb2 or the p85, subunit of PI3-kinase or of PI3-kinase activity. In parallel studies, the Pro513 IRS-1 variant was indistinguishable from wild-type IRS-1. Conclusions While subtle effects of these variants cannot be excluded in this system, it is unlikely that these variants are responsible for the extreme insulin resistance seen in the subjects harbouring them. Although IRS proteins play a central role in insulin signalling, functionally significant mutations in the IRS-1 gene are a rare cause of human syndromes of severe insulin resistance. [source]


ORIGINAL INVESTIGATIONS: Potential Faces of Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO PFO)

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2010
F.R.C.P., Tasneem Z Naqvi M.D.
Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is diagnosed on echocardiography by saline contrast study with or without color Doppler evidence of shunting. PFO is benign except when it causes embolic events. Methods and Results: In this report, we describe unique additional manifestations related to the diagnosis and presentation of PFO. These include demonstration of PFO during the release phase of "sigh" on the ventilator in the operating room, use of a separate venipuncture to allow preparation of blood-saline-air mixture after multiple failed saline bubble injections, resting and stress hypoxemia related to left to right shunting across a PFO in the absence of pulmonary hypertension, presentation of quadriperesis secondary to an embolic event from a PFO and development of a thrombus on the left atrial aspect of PFO in a patient with atrial fibrillation, and on the right atrial aspect of PFO in a patient who had undergone repair of a flail mitral valve. Finally, in one patient with end-stage renal disease, aortic valve endocarditis and periaortic abscess, PFO acted as a vent valve relieving right atrial pressure following development of aortoatrial fistula. Conclusion: PFO diagnosis can be elusive if appropriate techniques are not used during saline contrast administration. PFO can present as hypoxemia in the absence of pulmonary hypertension, can be a rare cause of quadriperesis, and can be associated with thrombus formation on either side of interatrial septum. Finally, PFO presence can be lifesaving in those with sudden increase in right atrial pressure such as with aortoatrial fistula. (Echocardiography 2010;27:897-907) [source]


Bilateral theca lutein cysts: A rare cause of acute abdomen in pregnancy

EMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 5-6 2004
Geetika Upadhyaya
Abstract Theca lutein cysts (hyperreactio luteinalis) are benign cysts usually associated with molar pregnancy. We report a case of bilateral theca lutein cysts with normal intrauterine singleton pregnancy presenting as an acute abdomen requiring surgical intervention. Laparotomy revealed bilateral theca lutein cysts one of which was torted, necessitating salpingo-ovariotomy. [source]


Acquired prothrombotic state due to protein-losing enteropathy as a rare cause for ischemic stroke?

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2007
F. Amtage
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow due to unusual sleep position

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2000
J. Finsterer
Abnormal strain of the ulnar nerve over the sulcus due to an unusual sleep position is a rare cause of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. A 57-year-old patient with Mandelung's deformity developed progressive weakness in the flexion of fingers 4 and 5 and in finger straddling on the left side. Additionally, there was slight wasting of the left hypothenar and the left interossei muscles. Motor and sensory nerve conduction studies of the left ulnar nerve showed delayed conduction velocities over the left ulnar sulcus. He preferred to sleep in a left lateral position with his head lying on a headrest roll, his left forearm being flexed at 110° and his hand lying either under his cheek or placed on the roll. Only three weeks after the patient had been advised to change his sleep position and to sleep without the headrest roll, weakness markedly improved. This case shows that sleeping in a lateral position with the head on a headrest roll and the hand placed on the roll or under the cheek may cause ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Change of such a habitual sleep position promptly resolves the symptoms. [source]


Telithromycin-associated hepatotoxicity: Clinical spectrum and causality assessment of 42 cases,

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Allen D. Brinker
Telithromycin is the first of a new class of ketolide antibiotics with increased activity against penicillin-resistant and erythromycin-resistant pneumococci. This agent received approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004 for treatment of upper and lower respiratory infections. Following market introduction, spontaneous reports of telithromycin-associated hepatotoxicity, including frank liver failure, were received. To address these reports, an ad hoc group with expertise in spontaneous adverse events reporting and experience in evaluating drug-induced liver injury was formed, including members of the FDA, other federal agencies, and academia. The primary objective of this group was to adjudicate case reports of hepatic toxicity for causal attribution to telithromycin. After an initial screening of all cases of liver injury associated with telithromycin reported to FDA as of April 2006 by one of the authors, 42 cases were comprehensively reviewed and adjudicated. Five cases included a severe outcome of either death (n = 4) or liver transplantation (n = 1); more than half were considered highly likely or probable in their causal association with telithromycin. Typical clinical features were: short latency (median, 10 days) and abrupt onset of fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice, sometimes with the presence of ascites even in cases that resolved. Concurrence in assignment of causality increased after agreement on definitions of categories and interactive discussions. Conclusion: Telithromycin is a rare cause of drug-induced liver injury that may have a distinctive clinical signature and associated high mortality rate. Consensus for attribution of liver injury to a selected drug exposure by individual experts can be aided by careful definition of terminology and discussion. (HEPATOLOGY 2009;49:250-257.) [source]


Haemosuccus pancreaticus: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges

HPB, Issue 4 2009
Velayutham Vimalraj
Abstract Background:, Haemosuccus pancreaticus (HP) is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The objective of our study was to highlight the challenges in the diagnosis and management of HP. Methods:, The records of 31 patients with HP diagnosed between January 1997 and June 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. Results:, Mean patient age was 34 years (11,55 years). Twelve patients had chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, 16 had tropical pancreatitis, two had acute pancreatitis and one had idiopathic pancreatitis. Selective arterial embolization was attempted in 22 of 26 (84%) patients and was successful in 11 of the 22 (50%). Twenty of 31 (64%) patients required surgery to control bleeding after the failure of arterial embolization in 11 and in an emergent setting in nine patients. Procedures included distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, central pancreatectomy, intracystic ligation of the blood vessel, and aneurysmal ligation and bypass graft in 11, two, six and one patients, respectively. There were no deaths. Length of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 10 years. Conclusions:, Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with a history of chronic pancreatitis could be caused by HP. Diagnosis is based on investigations that should be performed in all patients, preferably during a period of active bleeding. These include upper digestive endoscopy, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and selective arteriography of the coeliac trunk and superior mesenteric artery. Contrast-enhanced CT had a high positive yield comparable with that of selective angiography in our series. Therapeutic options consist of selective embolization and surgery. Endovascular treatment can control unstable haemodynamics and can be sufficient in some cases. However, in patients with persistent unstable haemodynamics, recurrent bleeding or failed embolization, surgery is required. [source]


Autoimmune pancreatitis in a patient presenting with obstructive jaundice and pancreatic mass

HPB, Issue 2 2004
Kevin Ooi
Background Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare cause of chronic pancreatitis. Case outline A case of obstructive jaundice with pancreatic mass mimicking malignancy is described. Discussion Recognition of the disease by its typical radiological and serological findings permits trial of steroid therapy and may avoid resection. [source]


Urgent liver transplantation for acute liver failure due to parvovirus B19 infection complicated by primary Epstein,Barr virus and cytomegalovirus infections and aplastic anaemia

INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2007
K. So
Abstract An 11-year-old boy presented with hepatic failure secondary to parvovirus B19 infection, requiring urgent liver transplantation. His recovery was complicated by primary Epstein,Barr virus and cytomegalovirus infections. He subsequently developed aplastic anaemia that has been refractory to antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporine therapy and may now require bone marrow transplantation. We present this case to emphasize parvovirus as a rare cause of hepatic failure and of aplastic anaemia as a complication of the virus. [source]


Ureteral obstruction caused by a duplicated anomaly of inferior vena cava

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 9 2005
LIANG-TSAI WANG
Abstract Developmental anomalies of inferior vena cava are a rare cause of ureteral obstruction. We report a case that presented with right upper ureteral obstruction that radiologically simulated a retrocaval ureter. An aberrant vessel, which caused obstruction of the right ureter was identified at operation and surgical relief of ureteral obstruction was performed. Inferior venocavography was performed postoperatively and disclosed an unusual incomplete duplication of inferior vena cava. Our findings suggested that ureteral obstruction by incompletely duplicated anomaly of the inferior vena cava should be included in the differential diagnosis of extrinsic ureteral obstruction. [source]


Papillary adenoma of the prostatic urethra: Report of two cases

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 8 2003
MUSTAFA ÖZGÜR TAN
Abstract Papillary adenoma of the prostatic urethra is a rare cause of hematuria, hemospermia and lower urinary tract obstruction, especially in young adults. We report two cases of papillary adenoma and their endoscopic views. One of the patients had a lesion located on the verumontanum and presented with hematuria, hemospermia and symptoms of lower urinary tract obstruction. The other patient had papillary lesions located in the paramontanal gutter and presented with persistent painless hematuria. The origin of both lesions was proven to be prostatic epithelial differentiation using immunohistochemical identification of prostate-specific antigen. Papillary adenoma is believed to be benign, therefore, both lesions were carefully excised and fulgurated transurethrally. [source]


Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus with bullae associated with porphyria cutanea tarda

JOURNAL DER DEUTSCHEN DERMATOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT, Issue 3 2007
Wiebke K. Peitsch
Summary A 58-year-old patient presented with both annular and polycyclic as well as vesicular lesions. Histology revealed an interface dermatitis with focal hyperkeratosis and subepidermal blistering. Antinuclear antibodies were elevated (1 : 1280) and autoantibodies against Ro-SS-A were found. Based on these findings we made a diagnosis of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) with blister formation. Additionally, we diagnosed porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) triggered by alcohol abuse. Treatment with systemic corti-costeroids and low-dose hydroxy-chloroquine led to rapid resolution of the skin changes. SCLE with blister formation is a rare cause of bullous skin eruptions and has to be distinguished from bullous autoimmune diseases as well as from bullous SLE. Recognition of concomitant PCT, which may be associated with all forms of LE, is especially important because of the therapeutic implications, since a reduced dosage of antimalarials is required. [source]


Surveillance for Early Detection of Aggressive Parathyroid Disease: Carcinoma and Atypical Adenoma in Familial Isolated Hyperparathyroidism Associated With a Germline HRPT2 Mutation,,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 10 2006
Thomas G Kelly
Abstract Familial hyperparathyroid syndromes involving mutations of HRPT2 (also CDC73), a tumor suppressor, are important to identify because the relatively high incidence of parathyroid malignancy associated with such mutations warrants a specific surveillance strategy. However, there is a dearth of reports describing experience with surveillance and early detection informed by genetic insight into this disorder. Introduction: Familial isolated hyperparathyroidism (FIHP) is a rare cause of parathyroid (PT) tumors without other neoplasms or endocrinopathies. Germline mutations in CASR, MEN1, and rarely, HRPT2 have been identified in kindreds with FIHP. HRPT2 mutations may be enriched in FIHP families with PT carcinoma, underscoring the importance of identifying causative mutations. Materials and Methods: A 13-year-old boy, whose father had died of PT carcinoma, developed primary hyperparathyroidism. A left superior PT mass was identified by ultrasonography and removed surgically. Aggressive histological features of the boy's tumor included fibrous trabeculae, mitoses, and microscopic capsular infiltration. Two years later, under close biochemical surveillance, primary hyperparathyroidism recurred 5 months after documentation of normocalcemia and normal parathyroid status. Ultrasound and MRI identified a newly enlarged right superior PT gland but indicated no recurrent disease in the left neck. Histologic features typical of a benign adenoma were evident after surgical extirpation of the gland. Results: Leukocyte DNA analysis revealed a frameshift mutation in exon 2 of HRPT2. The initial tumor manifested the expected germline HRPT2 mutation, plus a distinct somatic frameshift mutation, consistent with the Knudson "two hit" concept of biallelic inactivation of a classic tumor suppressor gene. Genetic screening of the patient's 7 asymptomatic and previously normocalcemic siblings revealed three with the same germline HRPT2 mutation. One of the siblings newly identified as mutation-positive was noted to be hypercalcemic at the time of the genetic screening. He was found to have a PT adenoma with aggressive features. Two of the five children of another mutation-positive sibling also carry the same HRPT2 mutation. Conclusions: Despite the reported rarity of HRPT2 mutations in FIHP, a personal or family history of PT carcinoma in FIHP mandates serious consideration of germline HRPT2 mutation status. This information can be used in diagnostic and management considerations, leading to early detection and removal of potentially malignant parathyroid tumors. [source]


Cardiac amyloidosis in a patient with multiple myeloma: A case report and review of literature

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 3 2009
David Sedaghat MD
Abstract We report a case of a 52-year-old man with multiple myeloma and rapidly progressive heart failure who died unexpectedly from a probable arrhythmia. Postmortem examination revealed infiltrative amyloid cardiomyopathy, a rare cause of predominantly diastolic myocardial disease. Cardiac amyloidosis should be considered in any patient presenting with congestive heart failure, preserved systolic function, and a discrepancy between a low QRS voltage on electrocardiography and an apparent left ventricular hypertrophy on sonogram. The pattern of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction changes during the course of amyloidosis and the classically described restrictive physiology occurs only in advanced stages of the disease. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009 [source]


Warfarin-induced fetal intracranial subdural hematoma

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 7 2008
Kamal Oswal MD
Abstract Antenatal intracranial hemorrhage is a rare cause of intrauterine fetal death, with an incidence of 4.6,5.1% in autopsy studies of stillborn fetuses. Warfarin-associated fetal bleeding is also a rare problem, with an incidence of 4.3% in the literature. We present a case of warfarin-induced subdural hematoma occurring in the second trimester. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008. [source]


Unusual hepatic-portal-systemic shunting demonstrated by Doppler sonography in children with congenital hepatic vein ostial occlusion

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 4 2004
Maha Barakat MD
Abstract Purpose This report describes unusual changes in the hepatic vasculature in 3 children presenting with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Methods The study included 3 children (ages 5,8 years) who presented with hematemesis. All had mild hepatosplenomegaly and normal liver function. Esophageal varices were demonstrated in all on upper endoscopy. Color and spectral Doppler sonography was performed to assess the hepatic vasculature, including the hepatic veins (HVs), portal vein (PV), hepatic artery (HA), and inferior vena cava (IVC). Results The HVs were all patent but with ostial occlusion at the point of their communication with the IVC. Complete flow reversal was shown inside the HVs, with blood draining into collateral vessels at the liver surface and paraumbilical vein. In one patient, the paraumbilical vein could be traced to its communication with the right external iliac vein. In all children, the direction of flow in the PV, HA, and IVC was normal. After endoscopic sclerotherapy, all children were shown to be in good general condition and to have normal liver function for a follow-up period of 15,36 months. Conclusions Ostial occlusion of the HV is a rare cause of hepatic outflow obstruction in children. Doppler sonography is a valuable, noninvasive imaging technique for evaluation of the hepatic vasculature and the accompaning shunting pathways in such cases. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:172,178, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www. interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/jcu.20019 [source]


Iliac vein compression syndrome: An underdiagnosed cause of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis,

JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL MEDICINE, Issue 7 2010
Ami Naik BS
Abstract Iliac vein compression syndrome (CS) is a rare cause of deep venous thrombosis. It is caused by an anatomic anomaly in which the right common iliac artery overlies the left common iliac vein causing mechanical compression. Subsequent endothelial changes within the vessels have the potential to spur thrombus formation. Aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions must be implemented upon suspicion to avoid long-term complications. We report on a 19 year old male who presented with ICS. We discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and current treatment options. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine. [source]


Neuroenteric cyst of the craniocervical junction

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
I Clare
Summary A neuroenteric cyst is a rare cause of an intradural, extramedullary mass. We report the MRI findings in a case of a neuroenteric cyst of the craniovertebral junction without associated abnormalities. [source]


Adnexal torsion during pregnancy: Report of four cases and review of the literature

JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4pt2 2008
Dimitris Hasiakos
Abstract Adnexal torsion is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain during pregnancy. It is frequently associated with ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or with ovarian masses, mainly of functional origin. The clinical, laboratory and imaging findings are non-specific. The authors present four cases with adnexal torsion diagnosed during the first trimester of pregnancy. The clinical picture, the mode of diagnosis, and the therapeutic approach are discussed. In two cases, the adnexa was removed, because there was extensive hemorrhage and ischemia. In the other two cases, unwinding of the adnexa was carried out and the ovary was preserved. The diagnosis of adnexal torsion is difficult, especially during pregnancy, and occasionally remains a diagnostic dilemma. It necessitates a prompt surgical intervention, because any delay leads to irreversible ovarian necrosis, so that adnexectomy is ultimately required. [source]


Agitation and weight loss in an autistic boy

JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 3 2007
Rachel Conyers
Abstract: An 11 year old boy with autism presented with a 2-month history of agitated behaviour with associated weight loss. On examination he was wasted and distressed. He had severe hypoalbuminaemia. Gastrointestinal imaging revealed a gastric bezoar. At operation a large phytobezoar extending into the jejunum was identified and removed. Postoperatively he required intensive nutritional resuscitation and support, including treatment of multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Malnutrition is common in children with developmental disabilities, with a number of possible contributing factors. Gastric bezoar is a rare cause, which should be considered in mobile children who may engage in pica. [source]