ABSTRACT
Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) has been used with increasing frequency and is considered a safe way to improve left ventricular border opacification. Studies have consistently documented that MCE can improve the ability to assess both global and regional left ventricular function by echocardiography. We report the case of an 83-year-old female who developed immediate and sustained hemodynamic instability after the injection of Perflutren for a contrast echocardiogram. We reviewed the literature and found no such previous reactions with Perflutren. Based on the temporal sequence of hypotension following Perflutren injection along with other clinical data, we concluded that our patient's hemodynamic instability was most likely secondary to an anaphylactic reaction.
Subject(s)
Contrast Media/adverse effects , Echocardiography , Fluorocarbons/adverse effects , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Aged, 80 and over , Anaphylaxis/chemically induced , Contrast Media/administration & dosage , Endocarditis, Bacterial/diagnosis , Endocarditis, Bacterial/microbiology , Female , Fluorocarbons/administration & dosage , Humans , Infusions, Intravenous , Staphylococcal Infections/diagnosis , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiologyABSTRACT
Choriocarcinoma is a highly aggressive beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (betaHCG)-producing germ cell tumor. In men, it is a rare neoplasm and can arise in the testes or in various extragonadal locations such as the retroperitoneum, mediastinum, and pineal body. We present a highly unusual case of a middle-aged man with primary metastatic betaHCG-producing choriocarcinoma of the right thigh along with right lower-extremity venous thrombosis. We comment on prognostic variables as well as discuss several theories to account for the unusual location of his choriocarcinoma.
