Cystic hygroma as a rare cause of obstructive sleep apnea

A 16-year-old female presented with a seven-month history of episodic cessation of breath during sleep, associated with loud snoring and bluish discoloration of lips. She was a known case of cystic hygroma since birth with many surgical interventions and multiple relapses, the last having been laser therapy of a laryngeal cyst seven months previously. She had obvious throat scarring and a small cyst in soft palate. On the right side of the neck there was a non-tender soft tissue mass 6 x 4 cm in diameter and decreased breath sounds on auscultation of the right upper zone of the chest. MRI of the neck and chest showed a mass involving the right side of neck to the upper part of the chest and severe narrowing of the upper airway at the base of the tongue. A sleep study confirmed obstructive sleep apnea. She was referred to the UK for further surgery and treatment and died suddenly while there. The rare association of cystic hygroma and sleep apnea is reviewed

Pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum and surgical emphysema in mechanically ventilated patients

A 29 year old male patient of Indian ancestry was admitted to an outside hospital with rapid deterioration of his level of consciousness. The patient required mechanical ventilation and transfer to MICU at Hamad Medical Corporation. The patient remained hypoxic. Chest X-ray, CT of chest, abdomen, pelvis and proximal areas of both lower limbs were performed. Pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, and extensive surgical emphysema were the diagnoses

Study of patients with heat stroke admitted to the intensive care unit of Hamad general hospital, Doha, Qatar during summer 2004

Summer shade temperatures in the State of Qatar are commonly above 40 °C making heat stroke a big problem in unacclimatized outside immigrant workers. Seven males were admitted with heatstroke to the ICU, Hamad General Hospital between 4th July and 24th August 2004. Presenting signs varied but included coma, abnormal behavior, aggression, mental confusion, fits, hypovolemic shock and respiratory failure, metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, hy-ponatremia, elevated serum enzymes and sinus tachycardia. All developed renal insufficiency but none died and there appeared to be no residual brain or organ damage. This has been taken as a measure of the effectiveness of the treatment and management in the ICU. It is emphasized that heat stroke is a medical emergency that can result in major organ failure and death and that early recognition and correct treatment are crucial