Right vertebral artery injury as a result of misplaced internal jugular vein catheter withdrawal

@#Central venous cannulation is a common procedure done for various medical indications. The use of the central venous cannula is associated with various immediate complications such as pneumothorax, vascular injury, and arrhythmia. The following is an unusual case of delayed presentation of a right vertebral artery injury due to central venous cannulation which resulted in a posterior circulation stroke. This is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and has a significant impact on patient’s quality of life. Clinicians and radiologists should be alert to this possibility to prevent further morbidity resulting from the iatrogenic injury.

Utility of alpha-blockade in a hypotensive pheochromocytoma patient with myocardial infarction

The aim of this case study is to emphasize the importance of alpha-blockade in managing a rare complication of an untreated pheochromocytoma. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 41-year-old man with previous bilateral pheochromocytoma presented with chest pain. He was suffering from cardiac failure and persistent hypotension requiring an inotrope. Cardiac markers, an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram confirmed acute myocardial infarct with poor ejection fraction and global hypokinesia. An [18]F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT scan showed progressive left suprarenal and organ of Zuckerkandl pheochromocytomas. Blood pressure stabilisation proved challenging but was achieved by titrating an incremental dose of alpha-blocker against a tapering inotropic dose. This case showed the efficacy of an alpha-blocker despite persistent hypotension in a patient with pheochromocytoma-induced cardiomyopathy

Renal doppler assessment in differentiating obstructive from non-obstructive hydronephrosis in children

background: to determine the usefulness of Doppler ultrasound measurement of resistive index (RI) in differentiating obstructive from non-obstructive hydronephrosis in children. Methods: From August 2011 to November 2012, renal Doppler assessments of the intra-renal renal arteries were performed on 16 children (19 kidneys) with congenital hydronephrosis. the independent t-test was used to assess for significant difference in RI values between those with obstructive hydronephrosis (6 kidneys) and those with non-obstructive hydronephrosis (13 kidneys) as determined by dynamic renal scintigraphy. the assessor was blinded to the clinical findings and scintigraphy results. Results: RI was significantly different between obstructive and non-obstructive hydronephrosis. Obstructive hydronephrosis returned higher RI values, with mean RI of 0.78. Mean RI in non-obstructive hydronephrosis was 0.70, and the difference was significant (p <0.05). the sensitivity and specificity of Doppler ultrasound were 100% and 53% respectively. conclusion: Doppler ultrasound measurement of resistive index is useful in differentiating obstructive from nonobstructive hydronephrosis and provides an alternative non-ionizing investigation other than dynamic renal scintigraphy.