Bird Fancier's lung: An underdiagnosed etiology of dyspnea.

Bird Fancier's Lung is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an immunologically mediated lung disease due to repetitive exposure of air-borne avian antigen. This was first described in 1965 and is known as one of the most common causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This case highlights this underdiagnosed etiology of dyspnea, disease presentation and exposure variability, and methods of diagnosis.

A Rare Case of Spontaneous Pneumocephalus Associated with Nontraumatic Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak.

Introduction. Spontaneous nontraumatic pneumocephalus (PNC) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are both very uncommon conditions. We report a rare case of spontaneous pneumocephalus associated with CSF leak secondary to right sphenoid sinus bony defect without history of trauma. Case Description. 51-year-old Hispanic female with past medical history of hypertension and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (Pseudotumor Cerebri) presented to the emergency room complaining of headache and clear discharge from the right nostril. Physical examination was significant for right frontal sinus tenderness and clear discharge from right nostril. Computed Tomography (CT) scan of the brain showed moderate amount of extra-axial air within the right cerebral hemisphere indicative of pneumocephalus. CT scan of facial bones showed bony defect along the right sphenoid sinus with abnormal CSF collection. The patient was started on intravenous antibiotics for meningitis prophylaxis and subsequently underwent transsphenoidal repair of cerebrospinal fluid leak with abdominal fat graft. CSF rhinorrhea stopped completely after the surgery with near complete resolution of pneumocephalus before discharge. Conclusions. Early identification of pneumocephalus and surgical intervention can help decrease the morbidity and avoid possible complications. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, although rare, can lead to CSF leak and pneumocepahlus.

Portal Vein Thrombosis due to Prothrombin Gene Mutation following Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Introduction. Portomesenteric thrombosis is increasingly recognized as a complication of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). It often presents with abdominal pain. We present a mother and her son who both developed portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after LSG. Case Description. A 43-year-old woman presented complaining of sudden severe abdominal pain, two weeks after she had uncomplicated laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast showed portal vein thrombosis and SMV thrombosis. Two weeks later her son had the same LSG for morbid obesity and presented with the same clinical picture. Thrombophilia workup showed heterozygous prothrombin gene mutation. Conclusions. A high index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose PVT; although rare, it can be potentially lethal. Anticoagulation therapy should be initiated immediately to limit the morbidities and improve the outcome. Patients with family history of thrombophilia should be investigated prior to any bariatric surgery and nonsurgical alternative treatments for morbid obesity should be strongly encouraged.