Opioid Intoxication to Withdrawal: A Case of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterized by a transient reduction in left ventricular systolic function with apical akinesis. TTC is usually associated with stress and emotional responses; however, opioid withdrawal has been identified as a rare cause of precipitation of TTC. We describe the case of an elderly female with chronic opioid dependence, who presented with symptoms of toxicity and developed TTC upon opioid withdrawal. Her symptoms improved with clonidine. In the time of an ongoing opioid crisis and an attempt to reduce opioid use among patients, this case reinforces the importance of anticipating TTC as a possibly life-threatening complication of sudden discontinuation of opioids in patients who have developed dependence on it.

Extensive bilateral intracranial calcifications and seizure in iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism: A case report.

Postoperative permanent hypoparathyroidism can exhibit extensive intracranial calcifications involving basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex.

Pituitary Apoplexy Complicated by Cerebral Infarction: A Case Report.

Cerebral infarction is a rare complication of pituitary apoplexy, which can result in significant morbidity if not treated on time. Pituitary apoplexy mostly occurs in pre-existing adenoma, which can remain undiagnosed until symptoms arise. Here, we present a case of a 26-year-old man with undiagnosed acromegaly who presented with left retro-orbital pain, diminished vision of the left eye, and right hemiparesis. Neuroimaging revealed large hemorrhagic sellar mass and ischemic infarction in the left middle cerebral artery territory. Emergency transcranial tumor excision was done, which resulted in significant neurological recovery.

Hemochromatosis in a ß-thalassemia minor patient with H63D homozygous mutation: A case report.

ß-thalassemia heterozygosity can cause significant iron overload when accompanied by HFE gene mutations and inappropriate iron supplementation.

Implications of Localized ST Depression in a Vascular Territory and Altered Precordial T-Wave Balance in Ischemic Heart Disease.

The incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is rising globally. Electrocardiography is still one of the best diagnostic modalities for it. Although some of the ECG changes of ACS are well known among medical practitioners, there are a handful of ECG changes that do not get the recognition they deserve. Among these are localized ST-segment depressions in a vascular territory and altered precordial T-wave balance. The urgency of management varies among the various subtypes of ACS, especially in low resource settings. ST-segment depression localized to a vascular territory is a sign of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) in the reciprocal lead which may not always be evident and hence, requires emergent reperfusion therapy. On the other hand, altered precordial T-wave balance (T1 > T6, T-wave in V1 > 1.5 mm and upright T-wave in V1) may be predictive of significant coronary artery disease (CAD).

Different Methods of Resection of Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas: A Case Series of Three Patients.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas is one of the rarest forms of pancreatic neoplasm. It was also known as Franz's tumor or Hamoudi tumor until the World Health Organization (WHO) labeled it as a solid pseudopapillary tumor in 1996. It typically affects young non-Caucasian females in their second or third decade of life. Treatment involves complete excision of the tumor which results in a complete cure in most of the cases. Three cases of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (diagnosis confirmed by cytology) in young females, each presenting with different symptoms were studied. Each of the three cases was found to have the neoplasm at different sites of the pancreas and was subjected to different resection procedures. The cases were followed up for at least a year and evaluated for recurrences/metastases. Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm remains one of the most misdiagnosed tumors. The diagnosis depends on radiology and cytology. With a very high five-year survival rate, surgical resection remains the treatment of choice. The type of surgical procedure depends on the site, size and local invasion of the tumor.