ABSTRACT
SUMMARY: : Diffuse pulmonary ossification is a rare clinical entity in which mature bone formation occurs within the pulmonary tissues. It has been associated with multiple pulmonary and systemic conditions and may be an indicator of disease severity and chronicity. It is often diagnosed only post mortem, because of its variable presentation with either very significant findings, mimicking other serious conditions, or very subtle onset unrecognized on imaging. In this report, we present the clinical presentation and findings in a case of diffuse pulmonary ossification diagnosed by transbronchial biopsy in a living patient.
Subject(s)
Lung Diseases, Interstitial/pathology , Lung/pathology , Ossification, Heterotopic/pathology , Pulmonary Fibrosis/pathology , Aged , Biopsy , Dyspnea/etiology , Humans , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/complications , Male , Ossification, Heterotopic/etiology , Pulmonary Fibrosis/complications , Pulmonary Fibrosis/diagnostic imaging , RadiographyABSTRACT
Octreotide is a somatostatin analogue used to control upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a case of a patient with no significant cardiac history who had multiple asystolic events during an octreotide infusion at a relatively low dose. Although octreotide leading to bradycardia and heart block has been documented in several case reports, to our knowledge, octreotide-associated asystole has not been described. It is pertinent that physicians must be aware of this significant cardiac effect for vigilant cardiac monitoring and management, preferably in an intensive care setting. Furthermore, this suggests that although dose- and route-related effects have been described, some individuals may be susceptible at low doses, even in the absence of heart disease. There were no further recurrences after the drug was discontinued.
