ABSTRACT
Mumps is an acute viral illness occurring in children and young adults transmitted via droplets. It is a vaccine-preventable illness caused by the mumps virus, an RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus belonging to theParamyxoviridaefamily. It typically presents with fever, parotitis, epididymo-orchitis, oophoritis, meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis and arthritis. Although viremia with multiorgan involvement is known to be commonly seen in mumps, there have been no reported cases of splenic abscess in a case of mumps. Here we present the case of a 16-year-old girl with unknown vaccination history who presented with fever, rash, bilateral parotid swelling, myocarditis, pneumonitis with pleural effusion and shock. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for mumps Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody was positive (ratio: 7.26, reference: 1.10). She was managed conservatively with parenteral antibiotics, oxygen, inotropic support and bronchodilators. As she complained of abdominal pain in the left hypochondrium on the 13th day since onset of symptoms, ultrasound scan of abdomen was done which showed a hypoechoic lesion with internal echoes in the inferior pole of spleen (2.9 cm x 2.2 cm) suggestive of splenic abscess. Computed tomography (CT) of abdomen confirmed similar findings. The splenic abscess completely regressed with parenteral antibiotics. Therefore, one must suspect splenic abscess in a case of mumps when the presentation includes abdominal pain and tenderness so that appropriate treatment may be provided for the best outcome for the patient.
ABSTRACT
Subacute-onset muscle weakness can result from channelopathies, inflammatory myopathies, thyroid dysfunction, hypoparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, and dyselectrolytemias like hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. We report a curious and extremely rare case of a 29-year-old woman with hyperemesis gravidarum presenting with disabling muscle weakness involving her lower limbs and trunk, and concurrent features of tetany. Following voluminous vomiting over the last two months, she presented with history of weakness of her lower limbs of 14 days duration, resulting in difficulty in her getting out of bed or walking unassisted. On examination, she was hypotensive (80/60 mmHg) and tachycardic (110 bpm), with flaccid weakness of her lower limbs (proximal weakness more than distal weakness - power of 1/5 at the hips bilaterally, and 3/5 at the knees and ankles bilaterally) and diminished deep tendon reflexes. She also had positive Trousseau's sign and Chvostek's sign. Interestingly, she also had thinned-out bluish sclerae, a high-arched palate, short stature, and bilateral conductive hearing loss. Laboratory evaluation revealed anemia, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypochloremia, hypophosphatemia, and low vitamin D levels. Electrocardiogram showed prolonged QT interval. Her thyroid function test and parathyroid levels were normal. With parenteral replenishment of the electrolytes and vitamin D, her power improved and she was discharged on oral supplements. Thus, this case report demonstrates the importance of aggressive, early, and adequate management of hyperemesis gravidarum to prevent dyselectrolytemia-associated paraparesis.
