Analysis of the clinical characteristics and misdiagnosis of area postrema syndrome manifesting as intractable nausea, vomiting, and hiccups in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders / 中华内科杂志

Objective: To investigate the misdiagnosis of area postrema syndrome (APS) manifesting as intractable nausea, vomiting and hiccups in neuromyelitis optic spectrum disease (NMOSD) and reduce the risk of misdiagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from NMOSD patients attending the Department of Neurology at the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital between January 2019 and July 2021. SPSS25.0 was then used to analyze the manifestations, misdiagnosis, and mistreatment of APS. Results: A total of 207 patients with NMOSD were included, including 21 males and 186 females. The mean age of onset was 39±15 years (range: 5-72 years). The proportion of patients who were positive for serum aquaporin 4 antibody was 82.6% (171/207). In total, 35.7% (74/207) of the NMOSD patients experienced APS during the disease course; of these patients, 70.3% (52/74) had APS as the first symptom and 29.7% (22/74) had APS as a secondary symptom. The misdiagnosis rates for these conditions were 90.4% (47/52) and 50.0% (11/22), respectively. As the first symptom, 19.2% (10/52) of patients during APS presented only with intractable nausea, vomiting and hiccups; 80.8% (42/52) of patients experienced other neurological symptoms. The Departments of Gastroenterology and General Medicine were the departments that most frequently made the first diagnosis of APS, accounting for 54.1% and 17.6% of patients, respectively. The most common misdiagnoses related to diseases of the digestive system and the median duration of misdiagnosis was 37 days. Conclusions: APS is a common symptom of NMOSD and is associated with a high rate of misdiagnosis. Other concomitant symptoms often occur with APS. Gaining an increased awareness of this disease/syndrome, obtaining a detailed patient history, and performing physical examinations are essential if we are to reduce and avoid misdiagnosis.

Hipo persistente: una rara complicación de una inyección epidural transforaminal de corticoides / Persistent hiccup: a rare complication of a transforaminal epidural corticoid injection / Soluços persistentes: uma complicação rara da injeção peridural transforaminal de corticosteroide

Se describe el caso de un paciente que instaló un hipo persistente luego de recibir una inyección epidural transforaminal lumbar de corticoides. Se destaca que es una complicación raramente reportada y por ende poco conocida por quienes practican intervencionismo en dolor. Se discuten los posibles mecanismos por los que puede presentarse, se reseña la evolución observada, y se describe el tratamiento instituido. Se señala el impacto que el hipo puede tener sobre la calidad de vida.

The case of a patient who installed a persistent hiccup after receiving a lumbar transforaminal epidural injection of corticosteroids is described. It is highlighted that it is a rarely reported complication and little known by those who practice interventional pain medicine. Possible mechanisms by which it may occur are discussed, the evolution observed and the treatment instituted are reviewed. The impact that hiccups can have on quality of life is pointed out.

Descrevemos o caso de um paciente que desenvolveu soluços persistentes após receber uma injeção peridural transforaminal lombar de corticosteróides. Ressalta-se que é uma complicação pouco relatada e, portanto, pouco conhecida por quem pratica o intervencionismo na dor. Discutem-se os possíveis mecanismos pelos quais pode ocorrer, revisa-se a evolução observada e descreve-se o tratamento instituído. O impacto que os soluços podem ter na qualidade de vida é apontado.

Síntomas gastrointestinales como manifestación de neuromielitis óptica: un reporte de caso / Gastrointestinal symptoms as a manifestation of Neuromyelitis Optica: A Case Report / Sintomas gastrointestinais como manifestação de neuromielite óptica: um reporte de caso

Se presenta el caso de una mujer en la quinta década de la vida que ingresa al servicio de urgencias con manifestaciones gastrointestinales consistentes en vómito e hipo. Después de múltiples estudios e intervenciones por especialistas, se piensa en el origen central de los síntomas. Se realiza una resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN) cerebral que permite el enfoque del caso y posterior confirmación del diagnóstico de una enfermedad dentro del espectro de la neuromielitis óptica, positiva para anticuerpos anti-acuaporinas-4. El tratamiento con esteroide y anticuerpo monoclonal (Rituximab) llevan a un control adecuado de la enfermedad.

We present a case report of a woman in her 50s admitted to the emergency room with gastrointestinal manifestations consisting of vomiting and hiccups. After a series of studies and interventions by specialists, a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed in order to find the central origin of the symptoms. This allows the approach of the case and subsequent confirmation of the diagnosis of Neuromyelitis optica, positive for anti-acuaporin-4 antibodies. Finally, it seems that treatment with steroids and monoclonal antibodies leads to proper control of the disease.

Se apresenta o caso de uma mulher na quinta década de vida que ingressa ao serviço de urgências com manifestações gastrointestinais consistentes em vômito e soluço. Depois de múltiplos estudos e intervenções por especialistas, se pensa na origemcentral dos sintomas. Se realiza uma ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN) cerebral que permite o enfoque do caso e posterior confirmação do diagnóstico de uma doença dentro do espectro da neuromielite óptica, positiva para anticorpos anti-acuaporinas-4. O tratamento com esteroide e anticorpo monoclonal (Rituximab) levam a um controle adequado da doença.

Hiperglicinemia no cetósica neonatal, fenotipo atenuado / Neonatal nonketotic hyperglycinemia, attenuated phenotype / Hiperglicinemia não-cetótica neonatal, fenótipo atenuado

Introducción. La Hiperglicinemia no Cetósica (HNC) es un error innato del metabolismo de herencia autosómica recesiva, cuya principal característica es la acumulación de glicina en los fluidos corporales, producido por una falla en el complejo de clivaje enzimático de este aminoácido. Presentación del caso. Presentamos el caso de un recién nacido de 36 semanas, con adaptación neonatal espontánea, sin historia de noxa perinatal ni hipoglicemia documentada, quien tras un corto período de 24 horas presentó deterioro neurológico progresivo, rápida alteración del estado de conciencia hasta el coma y falla ventilatoria. Llamó la atención al ingreso la hipotonía severa generalizada, hiporreflexia, ausencia de reflejos primitivos, con episodios de hipo aislado y movimientos oculares anormales. Ante la sospecha de un error innato del metabolismo se realizó el perfil de aminoácidos donde se evidenció elevación significativa de la glicina, 1417 mmol/L (referencia 94-553 umol/L). Se solicitaron aminoácidos en líquido cefalorraquídeo, glicina muy elevada 1263 mmol/L (referencia 3-7 umol/L), con lo que se confirma la sospecha de hiperglicinemia no cetósica. Se decidió iniciar manejo con benzoato de sodio y dextrometorfano. La resonancia magnética inicial fue normal, en estudio control se encontraron al igual que en el electroencefalograma hallazgos reportados previamente en la literatura para esta patología. Discusión. La mayoría de los niños con HNC se presentan en el período neonatal o en la primera infancia, y solo los casos más leves se presentan al final de la infancia o la niñez. En las presentaciones de inicio neonatal, el 85% tiene HNC grave y el 15% tiene forma atenuada, como este caso. El diagnóstico de la HNC se hace con base en la sospecha clínica, confirmada por los hallazgos de laboratorio, con la alteración característica de la glicina tanto en plasma como en el LCR y soportada por los hallazgos de las neuroimágenes y electroencefalograma (EEG). Conclusiones. La HNC no es una condición tan inusual, aunque sí posiblemente subdiagnosticada por la forma de presentación tan catastrófica, además porque no produce grandes desarreglos metabólicos de rápido diagnóstico. Por este motivo, ante un paciente con cuadro clínico sugestivo, con coma, alteración respiratoria y convulsiones de difícil manejo, y muy característicamente hipo, debe solicitarse el estudio de aminoácidos en plasma, neuroimágenes y EEG, con el fin de instaurar un manejo temprano.

Introduction. Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) is an autosomal recessive innate error of metabolism, whose main characteristic is the accumulation of glycine in body fluids, produced by a failure in the enzymatic cleavage complex of this amino acid. Case Presentation. We present the case of a 36-week-old newborn, with spontaneous neonatal adaptation, no history of perinatal noxa or documented hypoglycemia, who after a short period of 24 hours presented progressive neurological deterioration, rapid alteration of consciousness to coma and ventilatory failure. At admission the patient was noted for severe generalized hypotonia, hyporeflexia, absence of primitive reflexes, with episodes of isolated hiccups and abnormal eye movements. In view of the suspicion of an innate error of metabolism, an amino acid profile was performed, showing a significant elevation of glycine, 1417 umol/L (reference 94-553 umol/L). Amino acids were requested in cerebrospinal fluid, glycine very elevated 1263 umol/L (reference 3-7 umol/L), confirming the suspicion of nonketotic hyperglycinemia. It was decided to start treatment with sodium benzoate and dextromethorphan. The initial MRI was normal; in the control study, findings previously reported in the literature for this pathology were found, as well as in the electroencephalogram. Discussion. Most children with NKH will display it in the neonatal period or early infancy, with only the mildest cases presenting in late infancy or childhood. In neonatal-onset cases, 85% have severe NKH and 15% have attenuated form, as in this case. The diagnosis of NKH is made based on clinical suspicion, confirmed by laboratory findings, with the characteristic alteration of glycine in both plasma and CSF and supported by neuroimaging and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings. Conclusions. NKH is not such an unusual condition, although it is possibly underdiagnosed because of its catastrophic presentation and because it does not produce major metabolic disorders that are quickly diagnosed. For this reason, in a patient with a suggestive clinical condition, with coma, respiratory alteration and unmanageable seizures, and very characteristically hiccups, the study of amino acids in plasma, neuroimaging and EEG should be requested, in order to establish early treatment.

Introdução. A hiperglicinemia não-cetótica (HNC) é um erro inato do metabolismo de herança autossômica recessiva, cuja principal característica é o acúmulo de glicina nos fluidos corporais, produzido por uma falha no complexo de clivagem enzimática deste aminoácido. Apresentação do caso. Apresentamos o caso de um recém-nascido de 36 semanas, com adaptação neonatal espontânea, sem história de noxa perinatal nem hipoglicemia documentada, que após um curto período de 24 horas apresentou deterioração neurológica progressiva, alteração rápida de consciência até coma e falha ventilatória. Na admissão, eram notáveis a hipotonia grave generalizada, hiporreflexia, ausência de reflexos primitivos, com episódios de soluços isolados e movimentos oculares anormais. Diante da suspeita de erro inato no metabolismo, foi realizado o perfil de aminoácidos, onde foi constatada elevação significativa da glicina, 1417umol/L (referência 94-553 umol/L). Foram solicitados aminoácidos no líquido cefalorraquidiano, glicina muito alta 1263umol/L (referência 3-7 umol/L), confirmando a suspeita de hiperglicinemia não-cetótica. Foi decidido iniciar o tratamento com benzoato de sódio e dextrometorfano. A ressonância magnética inicial foi normal, tanto em estudo controle quanto no eletroencefalograma, foram encontrados achados previamente relatados na literatura para esta patologia. Discussão. A maioria das crianças com HNC estão no período neonatal ou na primeira infância, e apenas os casos mais leves ocorrem na infância ou na infância tardia. Nas apresentações de início neonatal, 85% têm HNC grave e 15% têm forma atenuada, como neste caso. O diagnóstico de HNC é feito com base na suspeita clínica, confirmada por achados laboratoriais, com alteração característica da glicina tanto no plasma quanto no LCR e apoiado por achados de neuroimagem e eletroencefalograma (EEG). Conclusões. A HNC não é uma condição tão incomum, embora possivelmente seja subdiagnosticada por sua apresentação catastrófica, também por não produzir grandes distúrbios metabólicos que possam ser diagnosticados rapidamente. Por esse motivo, em um paciente com quadro clínico sugestivo, com coma, distúrbios respiratórios e convulsões de difícil manejo, e soluços muito característicos, deve ser solicitado um estudo de aminoácidos no plasma, neuroimagem e EEG a fim de estabelecer um tratamento rápido.

Causa infrecuente de hipo crónico / Rare cause of chronic hiccups

Resumen El hipo crónico es un síntoma que puede provocar una invalidez significativa y a menudo revela una enfermedad subyacente. A continuación, se presenta el caso de un varón de 68 años que ingresó con hipo de más de 3 meses de duración que se asociaba con epigastralgia, vómitos posprandiales y pérdida ponderal. Había sido intervenido en 2 ocasiones debido a una enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico y hernia hiatal, una primera en la que se realizó una fundoplicatura y, posteriormente, una reintervención consistente en el cierre de los pilares diafragmáticos y re-Nissen laparoscópico. La clínica se debía a una obstrucción hiatal por acodamiento de la fundoplicatura previa y fue resuelta mediante la reposición hiatal a los parámetros anatómicos y desmontaje del Nissen previo.

Abstract Chronic hiccups is a rare symptom that can lead to significant disability and often reveals an underlying disease. The following is the case of a 68-year-old man who was admitted due to hiccups that had lasted more than 3 months associated with epigastric pain, postprandial vomiting, and weight loss. He had undergone surgery twice due to gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia. During the first procedure, a fundoplication was performed, and then, he underwent a reoperation consisting of diaphragmatic pillars closure and laparoscopic Nissen. The symptoms were caused by a hiatal obstruction due to the kinking of the previous fundoplication and were resolved by repositioning the hiatus to anatomical parameters and dismantling the previous Nissen.

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Presented with Upbeat Nystagmus and Intractable Vomiting / 대한평형의학회지

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an inflammatory demyelinating autoimmune disease of central nervous system characterized by relapsing attacks that target the optic nerves and spinal cord, as well as aquaporin-4 (AQP4) enriched periventricular brain regions. The area postrema (AP), located in the dorsal medulla, is the chemosensitive vomiting center and has high AQP-4 expression. The AP syndrome with unexplained hiccups, nausea, and vomiting is one of the core clinical characteristics in the NMOSD and maybe the first presenting symptom. We experienced a 25-year-old woman presented with intractable vomiting, dizziness and oscillopsia. Upbeat nystagmus detected on the bedside examination led to comprehensive neurological workups including magnetic resonance imaging, and she was diagnosed as the AP syndrome. Ten months later, she experienced a recurrence as a longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis and the diagnosis was finally compatible with NMOSD without AQP4-IgG. NMOSD, especially the AP syndrome, should be considered in any dizzy patient with intractable vomiting, and detailed neuro-otologic and neuro-ophthalmologic examinations are warranted for the correct diagnosis.

Zoster Laryngitis with Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsy Progressed as Ascending Involvement

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster of the head and neck commonly presents with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. However, vesicular eruptions may occur on the pharyngeal or laryngeal area with multiple lower cranial-nerve (CN) palsy. CASE REPORT: We report on the case of a 54-year-old man with herpes zoster of the pharynx and larynx with multiple CN palsy and persistent hiccups. He initially developed progressive dysphagia, hoarseness, and persistent hiccups (CN IX and X). After admission, Dizziness, hearing impairment, and peripheral facial palsy (CN VII and VIII) were complicated. The results of a polymerase chain reaction test of saliva and vesicular fluid from the ear and throat were strongly positive for varicella zoster virus. The progression of CN palsy was in an ascending sequence. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the sequence of CN palsy may be either ascending or descending, depending on the initial site of involvement.

Treatment of Lung Cancer-Related Intractable Hiccups Using Pulsed Radiofrequency: Clinical Experience / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

While most benign hiccups can be controlled with empirical therapy, intractable hiccups lasting longer than one month tend to have significant adverse effects with obscure etiology. Treatment strategies for intractable hiccups have not been established. Only a few sporadic cases of bilateral phrenic nerve blockage have been reported. Here, we report a case of intractable hiccups that lasted five weeks in a 56-year-old male patient with a lung cancer above the right diaphragm. We hypothesized that his intractable hiccups were caused by irritation and mass effect caused by the lung cancer. We performed an ultrasound-guided right unilateral phrenic nerve pulsed radiofrequency treatment, and the patient's intractable hiccups were successfully managed without complication.

Stellate ganglion block for the treatment of intractable hiccups: A case report

Hiccups are an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm that may repeat several times per minute. In general, hiccups are very common, transient, and self-limited. However, if the condition persists longer than days or months, it impacts a patient's quality of life. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods are used for the treatment of persistent or intractable hiccups. Nerve block and stimulation have been shown to be effective through neural pathway interruption or stimulation of the hiccup reflex arc. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is an injection of local anesthetic adjacent to a group of nerves in the neck known as the stellate ganglion. The authors report a case of SGB as an effective treatment for a patient with intractable hiccups resulting from right lateral medullary syndrome.

Phrenic Nerve Clipping in a Stroke Patient with Intractable Hiccup: a Case Report

Hiccup is an intermittent, involuntary and erratic contraction of the diaphragm, immediately followed by a laryngeal closure. Persistent and intractable hiccups are rare but severe, keeping a person from doing daily activities; these can result in depression, fatigue, impaired sleep, dehydration, weight loss, malnutrition, and aspiration. Therefore, proper treatments are necessary. We present a case with intractable hiccup treated with an unusual treatment. A 61-year-old man presented with intractable hiccups, which started 6 years ago after subarachnoid and intraventricular hemorrhage. Conventional pharmacologic treatments including metoclopramide, gabapentin, and baclofen were unsuccessful. Cooperating with cardiothoracic surgeons, phrenic nerve clipping operation was done under intraoperative electrophysiologic monitoring. This method was successful that the symptoms were relieved. Reversible clipping done under intraoperative electrophysiologic monitoring can be a promising therapeutic method for persistent and intractable hiccups in patients with stroke.

A Case of Klinefelter Syndrome with Refractory Seizure in Infant / 대한소아신경학회지

Klinefelter syndrome a genetic disorder with various clinical manifestations. Neurological symptoms, such as seizures, are rarely reported with Klinefelter syndrome, and it response well to anti-epileptic drugs. A 5-month-old boy visited the Inha university hospital due to jerking movements and hiccups. The patient had been diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome at birth and had a medical history of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit due to opisthotonus and ocular deviation at 26 days of age. The patient's serum testosterone level was decreased and his anti-Müllerian hormone level was increased. The brain image examination was normal and the electoencephalography and other blood test results showed no specific findings. However, after admission, the patient recurred generalized tonic-clonic-seizures recurred intermittently even after the administration of antiepileptic drugs. This paper reports a case of non-febrile seizures in a child with Klinefelter syndrome who presented with a refractory course.

Persistent Hiccup Treated by Levetiracetam

No abstract available.

A Case of Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndrome in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) may present with area postrema syndrome, which is characterized by intractable vomiting and hiccups. Hyponatremia is common in NMOSD and is mostly associated with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). In contrast to SIADH, cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS) causes hyponatremia, which is associated with severe natriuresis and extracellular volume depletion in patients with cerebral disease. To our knowledge, hyponatremia associated with CSWS has not been reported in a patient with NMOSD. Here, we describe a NMOSD presenting with hyponatremia, which may be caused by CSWS following area postrema syndrome.

Hiccup Due to Aripiprazole Plus Methylphenidate Treatment in an Adolescent with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and Conduct Disorder: A Case Report

Our case had hiccups arising in an adolescent with the attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) after adding aripiprazole treatment to extended-release methylphenidate. Actually, antipsychotics are also used in the treatment of hiccups, but studies suggest that they can cause hiccups as well. Within 12 hours of taking 2.5 mg aripiprazole added to extended-release methylphenidate at a dose of 54 mg/day, 16-year-old boy began having hiccups in the morning, which lasted after 3–4 hours. As a result, aripiprazole was discontinued and methylphenidate was continued alone because we could not convince the patient to use another additional drug due to this side effect. Subsequently, when his behavior got worsened day by day, his mother administered aripiprazole alone again at the dose of 2.5 mg/day at the weekend and continued treatment because hiccup did not occur again. But when it was administered with methylphenidate on Monday, hiccup started again next morning and lasted one hour at this time. In conclusion, we concluded that concurrent use of methylphenidate and aripiprazole in this adolescent led to hiccups.

Suspicious psychogenic hiccup after interventional pain procedures: A case report

Several cases of the hiccups that occurred after interventional pain procedures have been previously reported. A 34-year-old man had suffered from persistent hiccups that started after epidural and trigger point injection of steroid. His hiccups were stopped during meals and sleep. Furthermore, hiccups did not occur after intravenous or intramuscular steroid injection due to eczema and bronchitis, and after interventional pain procedure that was performed under sedation with midazolam. Hence, we suspected that his hiccups had resulted from a psychogenic cause.

A novel association between cerebral sinovenous thrombosis and nonketotic hyperglycinemia in a neonate / 소아과

Lethargy in newborns usually indicates central nervous system dysfunction, and many conditions such as cerebrovascular events, infections, and metabolic diseases should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Nonketotic hyperglycinemia is an autosomal recessive error of glycine metabolism, characterized by myoclonic jerks, hypotonia, hiccups, apnea, and progressive lethargy that may progress to encephalopathy or even death. Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis is a rare condition with various clinical presentations such as seizures, cerebral edema, lethargy, and encephalopathy. Here, we report the case of a newborn infant who presented with progressive lethargy. An initial diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis was followed by confirmation of the presence of nonketotic hyperglycinemia.

Citrulinemia de presentación atípica: hipo persistente: a propósito de un caso / Citrullinemia with an atypical presentation: persistent hiccups: case report

Se informa el caso de un neonato que desarrolló encefalopatía en el transcurso de los primeros tres días de vida. Presentaba hipo persistente, que evolucionó a coma profundo 72 horas después de la admisión al hospital. Los parámetros de septicemia y el análisis del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) fueron normales. Tras la evaluación metabòlica, se confirmó la presencia de hiperamoniemia e hipercitrulinemia. El índice de la concentración de LCR/glicina en plasma era normal. Esto no coincidió con nuestro diagnóstico inicial de hiperglicinemia no cetósica, que suele manifestarse con hipo. Se recomienda tener en cuenta la deficiencia de ácido argininosuccínico sintetasa (ASD por su sigla en inglés; citrulinemia) de inicio neonatal en el diagnóstico diferencial de encefalopatía asociada con hipo durante el período neonatal, lo que sugiere una enzimopatía congénita.

We report an infant who developed encephalopathy within the first 3 days of life. He had persistent hiccups that progressed to deep coma 72 hours after admission. The sepsis parameters and cerebrospinal fluid examination (CSF) were normal. The metabolic evaluation confirmed hyperammonemia, and hypercitrullinemia. The ratio of CSF/plasma glycine concentration was normal. This did not agree with our initial diagnosis of nonketotic hyperglycinemia where hiccups is present more often. Neonatal onset of argininosuccinic acid synthetase deficiency (ASD; citrullinemia) should be brought in mind in the differential diagnosis of encephalopathy in association with hiccups in the neonatal period suggesting inborn errors of metabolism.

Hipo, un desafío diagnóstico / Hiccup, a diagnostic challenge

El hipo es una contracción espasmódica involuntaria del diafragma que desencadena una inspiración súbita y cierre abrupto de la glotis originando un sonido característico. Según su duración se clasifica en ataque de hipo, hipo persistente o hipo intratable o rebelde. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 75 años de edad con hipo rebelde que le impedía conciliar el sueño, diurno y nocturno, asociado a eructos, de tres años de evolución, refractario al tratamiento con clorpromazina. Luego de una extensa evaluación se llegó al diagnóstico de tumor en seno etmoidal derecho. Se efectuó la resección del tumor y posterior radioterapia local con desaparición del hipo. Consideramos ésta una causa rara de hipo rebelde que generó un desafío diagnóstico y terapéutico.

Hiccup is a spasmodic involuntary contraction of the diaphragm which triggers a sudden inspiration and an abrupt closure of the glottis with a characteristic sound. Regarding its duration, it is classified as hiccup attack, persistent hiccup or rebellious or intractable hiccup. We present the case of a 75 old male with rebellious hiccup which prevented him to fall asleep by day or by night, associated with belches lasting for three years, refractory to chlorpromazine. An extensive evaluation led to the diagnosis of right ethmoid sinus tumor. The tumor resection was performed and after subsequent local radiotherapy the hiccup disappeared. We consider this a rare cause of rebellious hiccup that generated a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Intractable Hiccup as the Presenting Symptom of Cavernous Hemangioma in the Medulla Oblongata: A Case Report and Literature Review

A case of intractable hiccup developed by cavernous hemangioma in the medulla oblongata is reported. There have been only five previously reported cases of medullary cavernoma that triggered intractable hiccup. The patient was a 28-year-old man who was presented with intractable hiccup for 15 days. It developed suddenly, then aggravated progressively and did not respond to any types of medication. On magnetic resonance images, a well-demarcated and non-enhancing mass with hemorrhagic changes was noted in the left medulla oblongata. Intraoperative findings showed that the lesion was fully embedded within the brain stem and pathology confirmed the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma. The hiccup resolved completely after the operation. Based on the presumption that the medullary cavernoma may trigger intractable hiccup by displacing or compression the hiccup arc of the dorsolateral medulla, surgical excision can eliminate the symptoms, even in the case totally buried in brainstem.

Rediscovery of Nefopam for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain

Nefopam (NFP) is a non-opioid, non-steroidal, centrally acting analgesic drug that is derivative of the non-sedative benzoxazocine, developed and known in 1960s as fenazocine. Although the mechanisms of analgesic action of NFP are not well understood, they are similar to those of triple neurotransmitter (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) reuptake inhibitors and anticonvulsants. It has been used mainly as an analgesic drug for nociceptive pain, as well as a treatment for the prevention of postoperative shivering and hiccups. Based on NFP's mechanisms of analgesic action, it is more suitable for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Intravenous administration of NFP should be given in single doses of 20 mg slowly over 15-20 min or with continuous infusion of 60-120 mg/d to minimize adverse effects, such as nausea, cold sweating, dizziness, tachycardia, or drowsiness. The usual dose of oral administration is three to six times per day totaling 90-180 mg. The ceiling effect of its analgesia is uncertain depending on the mechanism of pain relief. In conclusion, the recently discovered dual analgesic mechanisms of action, namely, a) descending pain modulation by triple neurotransmitter reuptake inhibition similar to antidepressants, and b) inhibition of long-term potentiation mediated by NMDA from the inhibition of calcium influx like gabapentinoid anticonvulsants or blockade of voltage-sensitive sodium channels like carbamazepine, enable NFP to be used as a therapeutic agent to treat neuropathic pain.