Acute Hemoptysis Redefined: A Deadly Presentation.

An aortic aneurysm is a permanent localized arterial dilation with more than 50% of the artery diameter. Among the complications of an aortic aneurysm, one of the rarest is the aorto-bronchial fistula, which presents with massive hemoptysis; this condition is lethal if not treated surgically. We report a 90-year-old man with no significant medical history who presented to the emergency department with abrupt onset of hemoptysis; his chest X-ray displayed left upper lobe opacity with widened mediastinum. CT chest revealed aneurysmatic dilatation of the aorta, left upper lobe opacity suspicious of pulmonary aortic fistula. Thoracic surgery was consulted but due to his poor functional status surgery was deferred. On the second day of hospitalization, the patient developed another episode of massive hemoptysis resulting in hypovolemic shock and expired. This case epitomizes the relevance of broad differential diagnosis for hemoptysis and the prompt assessment and management of the patients with this condition.

Left ventricle and systemic air embolism after percutaneous lung biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Systemic arterial air embolism following a percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy is a rare but known complication, with current literature reporting an incidence of 0.01-0.45%. A prompt diagnosis of arterial air embolism is important as complications resulting from migration of air to the systemic circulation with correspondent complications. CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old female who presented for an elective percutaneous lung biopsy of an incidentally found pulmonary nodule. The procedure was performed, following the completion of the procedure the patient experiment syncopal symptoms and was diagnosed by CT scan with Left ventricular air embolism, subsequently transferred to Intensive care unit for medical attention, she was placed on right lateral decubitus Trendelenburg for 24 hours and administer 100% oxygen via a nonrebreather mask. Repeat chest CT the following day revealed complete resolution of her intracardiac free air. CONCLUSION: Although systemic arterial air embolism remains a rare complication of percutaneous lung biopsies, recognition prevents potential mortality which can develop due to neurological and cardiac complications. Close vigilance in the intensive care unit is recommended and hyperbaric chamber when appropriate.

Corrigendum: Cooper et al, Subtotal Gastrectomy as "Last Resort" Consideration in the Management of Refractory Rumination Syndrome.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.14740/gr594w.].

Subtotal Gastrectomy as "Last Resort" Consideration in the Management of Refractory Rumination Syndrome.

Rumination syndrome is a behavioral disorder resulting in effortless regurgitation of undigested food within minutes of meal intake that is subsequently either re-swallowed or ejected. It is commonly misdiagnosed, patients often undergo extensive testing and multiple therapies, many of which are directed at suspected gastroparesis. A 25-year-old Caucasian female initially presented to our care 1 year ago with a 4-year history of nausea and vomiting occurring in the immediate postprandial period, specifically within 15 minutes from oral intake. She had an extensive history of multiple diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures over the previous 4 years which included cholecystectomy, botulin toxin injection into the pyloric sphincter, pyloroplasty, placement of a gastric stimulator and jejunal feeding tube with no sustained results. On a previous admission we determined the functional status of the stomach by obtaining full thickness gastric biopsies during a diagnostic laparoscopy. This revealed an adequate population number of cells of Cajal and myenteric neurons as well as normal stomach muscle. After 1 year of attempting "breathing relaxation techniques", while being nutritionally maintained by nocturnal jejunostomy feedings, the patient presented again to our care with refractory nausea and vomiting and unable to work or function. Her weight was 90 lbs. She underwent a subtotal gastrectomy (80%) with Roux-en-Y reconstruction and continuation of jejunostomy feeding. The refractory nausea and vomiting significantly improved over the 4 weeks after discharge and breathing exercises were continued. On subsequent follow-up visits over a 6-month course, the refractory nausea and vomiting had resolved by more than 85% with and improvement in her BMI and quality of life.The recommended treatment of rumination syndrome is focused on breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to "distract" while eating. We believe our case is the first reported where a subtotal gastrectomy has been used to help overcome refractory rumination along with the usual therapy. This surgery is a "last resort" consideration to improve quality of life, returning the patient to employment and functional social status.

Primary central nervous system amelanotic melanoma in a Hispanic male: Case report.

BACKGROUND: Primary melanotic neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS) are uncommon; amelanotic melanomas in this region are extremely rare. Very few cases of amelanotic variation of primary melanoma in the CNS were reported on. General guidelines or recommendations to establish this diagnosis do not exist. CASE REPORT: A sixty-year-old male Hispanic patient presented with a 7-day history of numbness and dizziness. Initial laboratory work-up and physical examination were inconclusive. Cerebral radiological imaging showed a left frontal lesion. Further work-up after clinical deterioration revealed an increase in the lesion size consistent with hemorrhage and changes in T1WI. Biopsy and immunochemistry demonstrated the presence of amelanotic melanoma in the CNS without evidence of another primary lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Primary amelanotic melanoma of the CNS represents a challenge, clinically and diagnostically. Magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful in early stages. Final diagnosis is established with immunohistochemical testing. Physicians should be aware of the existence of this rare manifestation and difficulties faced while building this diagnosis.

Moyamoya in Hispanics: not Only in Japanese.

Moyamoya disease was first described in 1957 as hypoplasia of the bilateral internal carotid arteries, the characteristic appearance of the associated network of abnormally dilated collateral vessels on angiography was later likened to something hazy, like a puff of cigarette smoke, which, in Japanese, is moyamoya. This paper describes two cases of moyamoya presentations, including moyamoya disease and moyamoya syndrome. Moyamoya may rarely occur in North American Hispanic patients. The presentation can vary significantly and ranges bwtween fulminant outcome and prolonged survival. Awareness about moyamoya and its different presentations may be beneficial for the patients and can improve the outcome.