Oxford Medical Case Reports最新文献

Good's syndrome (GS) is a rare adult-onset thymoma associated with acquired combined B-cell and T-cell immunodeficiency. It has similarities with Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) in terms of hypogammaglobulinemia and significant risk of invasive bacterial and opportunistic infections. We still have a long way to go in understanding the pathogenesis of Good's syndrome. Here, we describe a case of a middle-aged female with thymoma and recurrent opportunistic infections. Clinico-laboratory evaluation led to a diagnosis of GS and she showed good response to intravenous immunoglobulin. Clinicians should be aware that thymoma can precede the onset of immunodeficiency.

Aortitis and mycotic aneurysm are vascular conditions characterized by inflammation of the aortic wall or the presence of an aneurysm resulting from microbial infection. This is a rare case of aortic aneurysm caused by atherosclerosis, with Streptococcus constellatus and Parvovirus B19 infection, in a 60-year-old male. The patient presented with rigors and pleuritic chest pain, and was found to have a saccular aneurysm of the ascending aorta and pericardial effusion. The patient underwent urgent replacement of the ascending aorta and completed 6 weeks of antibiotics with good recovery. This case emphasizes the importance of considering rare organisms in patients with aortitis and mycotic aneurysm, particularly in cases with blood cultures without microbial growth. Early diagnosis and treatment may be essential for the prevention of life-threatening complications.

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are among the most commonly used medications due to their efficacy and rapid onset of action. Although they offer significant therapeutic benefits in treating various psychiatric and neurological conditions, their clinical utility is limited by substantial risks, including dependency and withdrawal symptoms. The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) has been linked to BZD withdrawal. In this case report, we examine the case of an elderly female presented with a mixed delirium and SIADH following the abrupt cessation of long-term clonazepam therapy. To our knowledge, this is the second case that documents a link between SIADH and BZD withdrawal.

A 57-year-old man was referred to our department with a mass in the sphenoid sinus. Surgical removal of the tumor was performed. However, a testicular mass was found that showed rapid growth. He had undergone inguinal orchiectomy. Five days after the urological surgery, he noticed visual disturbances and bilateral visual loss. Ophthalmological examination revealed total blindness, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed sphenoid mass growth. The patient underwent emergent removal of the tumor, and a diagnosis of malignant lymphoma was made. A final diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in the testis and sphenoid sinus was made. After receiving treatment with intravenous corticosteroids and chemotherapy for lymphoma, his left vision completely recovered. Although his right vision was lost, he returned to normal social activities. This is the first report in the literature on MCL developing in the sphenoid sinus presenting with bilateral blindness and ipsilateral recovery.

Dengue, caused by the dengue virus, presents with various clinical manifestations, including rare neurological complications. Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), an immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy, is a rare complication, often triggered by antecedent infections. Herein, we report the case of a 30-year-old male presenting with GBS following dengue fever. His clinical course revealed classic GBS symptoms, including ascending weakness and bulbar involvement, with no noted infection that could plausibly explain a trigger for GBS. Diagnosis entailed cerebrospinal fluid analysis and nerve conduction studies which confirmed acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Treatment involved plasmapheresis, yielding a positive response. This case underscores the association between dengue and GBS, emphasizing the need for heightened clinical suspicion in endemic regions like Nepal.

A transient female passenger in her 40s presented to the emergency department (ED) exhibiting drowsiness post-scuba diving. Despite normal initial vitals, she reported dizziness, sleepiness, and occipital headache. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a severe posterior circulation acute infarction affecting various brain regions, resulting in significant mass effects and complications like 4th ventricle compression, cerebellar tonsillar herniation, and hydrocephalus. Extensive diagnostic tests, blood workup, and stroke evaluations revealed normal findings, except for an incidental patent foramen ovale (PFO). Collaboration with neurosurgery led to her transfer for life-saving extraventricular drain (EVD) insertion and posterior fossa decompression. Treatment included right-side EVD insertion, suboccipital craniectomy, and foramen magnum decompression. Postoperatively, she was extubated the next day, alert, without focal neurological deficits. Upon EVD removal, a repeat CT head scan showed regression of mass effect. She was discharged home safely after 16 days, fully ambulating.

Intussusception is a rare presentation in adult population and usually occurs secondary to an underlying pathology. We report an unusual case of a 28-year-old female who developed a colo-colonic intussusception secondary to Burkitt lymphoma which was managed with an extended right hemicolectomy. The case was further complicated by a segment of small bowel with malignant adhesion to a prosthetic mesh requiring resection of the involved segment of small bowel. We have discussed the significance of this case as well as general considerations in the surgical management of adult intussusception.

Melatonin, a pineal gland hormone closely associated with the circadian rhythm, has been trending over the past years as an over-the-counter medication to aid with sleep disturbances. Although generally believed to be safe, recent studies show negative inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart rate and blood pressure in humans. Several studies suggested that melatonin induces cardiac vagal tone and affects heart rate and mean arterial pressure. Limited literature is currently available on the effects of melatonin beyond its sleep function. We present a case of a healthy 22-year-old male who visited the emergency department reporting palpitations and dizziness following the ingestion of 20 mg of melatonin. Subsequent examinations revealed marked bradycardia. Fortunately, the patient experienced spontaneous resolution of the bradycardia without necessitating intervention after a few hours of observation, and he was observed and discharged.

Pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) in Behcet's disease is a rare yet potentially life-threatening manifestation, often presenting as haemoptysis. We present a case report of a 33-year-old male with recurrent haemoptysis and a history of oral and genital ulcers, diagnosed with Behcet's disease complicated by PAA. Diagnostic workup, including imaging and laboratory tests, confirmed the diagnosis, leading to prompt initiation of immunosuppressive therapy and meticulous follow-up. The patient showed significant clinical improvement with reduced ulcer severity and no new episodes of haemoptysis during one-year follow-up. Our case underscores the importance of early recognition, multidisciplinary management, and close monitoring to optimize outcomes in Behcet's disease with pulmonary involvement. A comprehensive literature review further elucidates the clinical nuances, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic strategies associated with this rare manifestation, highlighting the need for collaborative care and tailored interventions to mitigate complications and improve patient prognosis.

Thromboembolism-in-transit, specifically impending paradoxical embolism (IPDE), is a rare and life-threatening condition with limited reported cases. We present a case of a 51-year-old male with obstructive sleep apnea, initially diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Further evaluation revealed a saddle pulmonary embolus extending into the right atrium, straddling a patent foramen ovale (PFO), confirmed by transesophageal echocardiogram. Despite a critical left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis, surgical thrombectomy, PFO closure, and coronary artery bypass grafting were successfully performed. Thromboembolism-in-transit poses diagnostic challenges, and there is a lack of consensus on the optimal treatment strategy. Surgical interventions, including embolectomy and PFO closure, have shown promise, while thrombolytic therapy remains controversial. This case underscores the importance of tailored management in the absence of standardized guidelines, emphasizing the need for further research to establish evidence-based protocols for this uncommon but potentially fatal condition.