ABSTRACT
Presbyesophagus is a unique cause of dysphagia in the elderly, which features incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, dilatation of the esophagus, decreased esophageal peristaltic pressures, abnormal esophageal contractions, and delayed emptying of the esophagus. An 88-year-old woman underwent surgery for a femur fracture.The day after surgery, respiratory arrest occurred during a meal. Breathing resumed after oxygen supply with airway opening. She complained of dysphagia and nausea during a meal, and the videofluoroscopic swallowing study and esophagography showed delayed emptying of the esophagus, abnormal esophageal contraction, and dilatation of the esophagus. This case shows that esophageal dysfunction in the elderly with poor general medical conditions can worsen abruptly.
ABSTRACT
Many people with muscular dystrophy develop dysphagia that can result in an inability to use the oral route in severe cases. In such cases, an alternative feeding method is selected, including a nasogastric tube or a gastrostomy.This case report describes a 40-year-old man with muscular dystrophy who was managed for swallowing difficulty and respiratory failure. Oromotor muscle weakness caused prolonged mealtimes, difficulty with swallowing a solidform diet, aspiration signs, and weight loss. Consequently, an alternative feeding method was required. An abdominal radiograph showed massive aerophagia, and the transverse colon was located over the stomach. As a result, the colon interfered with the puncture route, which could lead to colon perforation. Therefore, cervical esophagostomy was selected, where the patient obtained nutrition through a cervical esophagostomy tube. This case showed that when gastrostomy cannot be performed due to aerophagia, cervical esophagostomy can successfully support nutrition for the mid to long-term in muscular dystrophy patients.
ABSTRACT
Acupuncture is generally regarded as a safe procedure and as a popular treatment for patients with musculoskeletal disorders. We report a case of a 47-year-old male patient with late-onset tetraplegia, developed after acupuncture. He had no trauma, medical, and social history relevant to tetraplegia. Right after the acupuncture, he felt discomfort in his right arm. After 6 days, all 4 extremity weakness developed. Whole-spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of spinal subdural hematoma extending from the C5 vertebra to the coccyx level. Hand coordination dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, and neuropathic pain were other symptoms. After the management, he recovered muscle strength, but incomplete bladder control and neuralgia were sustained. It is important to be aware of the possibilities of severe complications after acupuncture.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Acupuncture , Arm , Coccyx , Extremities , Hand , Hematoma, Subdural, Spinal , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Muscle Strength , Neuralgia , Quadriplegia , Spine , Urinary Bladder , Urinary Bladder, NeurogenicABSTRACT
The Stellate ganglion block (SGB) could be used to treat sympathetic dependent circulatory insufficiency. We report a 36-year-old female patient with burn-induced refractory ischemic ulcer in distal phalanges. The patient admitted in department of plastic surgery for second degree burn wound in the right second through fifth fingertips. Continuous dressing treatment was conducted. However digital burn wounds were not healed but seems to be refractory. The upper extremity angiography revealed decreased perfusion and the fingertip wounds were diagnosed as ischemic ulcer. Despite of botulinum toxin injection into the perineural tissue and aspirin prescription, burn wounds showed ulcerative necrotic change. The SGBs were performed twice a week for 3 weeks to restore vasoconstriction of the upper extremity arteries. The follow-up angiography showed significant improvement of fingertip perfusion. Consequently, wounds were completely healed. In conclusion, SGB could be a rational option to overcome burn-induced digital ischemia refractory to other medical therapy.