ABSTRACT
Methamphetamines are commonly abused drugs for their stimulant and euphoric effects. Inhaled and intravenous use may cause damage to the respiratory system. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a condition where changes in intrathoracic pressure leads to alveolar rupture and dissection of air along the tracheobronchial tree. Massive subcutaneous emphysema may result from pneumomediastinum which may compromise the central airway. In this case report, we present an unusual case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and severe subcutaneous emphysema following inhalation of methamphetamine. This case emphasizes the rising concern on the acute respiratory complications of methamphetamine use.
ABSTRACT
Neurocysticercosis is a growing health problem in the United States and worldwide. Diagnosis and treatment is challenging especially if the physician is not familiar with this condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that neurocysticercosis affects 50 million people worldwide, especially in developing countries and causes approximately 50,000 deaths annually.1 Neurocysticercosis is of emerging importance in the United States especially in Hawai'i because of immigration from disease-endemic regions.2 We present a case of a young Chinese immigrant male who presented with impressive imaging studies of a giant intraventricular neurocysticercosis. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing neurocysticercosis, especially in the immigrant population.
Subject(s)
Neurocysticercosis/diagnosis , Adult , China , Emigrants and Immigrants , Hawaii , Humans , Male , Neurocysticercosis/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Streptococcus suis meningoencephalitis is a rare but increasingly important condition. Good history taking will give clues to the diagnosis. This is the fourth case report in the United States. CASE: A 52-year-old Filipino man who recently returned from a trip to the Philippines was admitted with classic symptoms of bacterial meningitis. His cerebrospinal fluid culture grew Streptococcus suis. His clinical course was complicated by seizures, hearing loss, and permanent tinnitus. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of this emerging disease especially in patients with recent travel history to endemic areas. Early recognition and appropriate management could potentially prevent complications.
Subject(s)
Meningoencephalitis/etiology , Red Meat/microbiology , Seizures/etiology , Streptococcal Infections/complications , Streptococcus suis/pathogenicity , Eating , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Mycotic aortic aneurysm associated with suppurative pericardial effusion is a rare and serious clinical phenomenon that is linked with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a 78-year-old man who presented with purulent pericardial effusion with tamponade physiology in association with a progressively enlarging, transverse aortic arch, mycotic aneurysm due to group B streptococci. To our knowledge, this is only the second reported case of this nature. Despite advances in the current era of antibiotics and surgical techniques, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment remain sentinel to successful management of the cardiovascular complications of group B streptococcus bacteremia.
