Cistitis enfisematosa: una causa poco frecuente de dolor abdominal / Emphysematous cystitis: An uncommon cause of ab dominal pain

Resumen Una mujer de 82 años con antecedentes de hiperten sión arterial e hipotiroidismo acudió al servicio de urgencias por dolor abdominal, diarrea, confusión y deterioro de su estado general de varios días de evolu ción. A su admisión, la paciente se encontraba febril y la analítica mostró una elevación de la proteína C reac tiva sin leucocitosis (8.9 × 10[PRESERVECIRC]9/L). En ese contexto se realizó exudado nasofaríngeo para SARS-CoV-2 que fue negativo. Con estos resultados, la sospecha inicial era la de un cuadro infeccioso de origen digestivo. La muestra de orina era maloliente con presencia de leucocitos y nitritos enviándose a cultivo microbiológico. Se inició tratamiento antibiótico empírico con una cefalosporina de tercera generación ante la sospecha de une posible infección urinaria. Se decidió la realización de una tomografía tóraco-abdomino-pélvica con el objetivo de evaluar la presencia de otros focos infecciosos en una paciente de edad avanzada. Este estudio mostró una cistitis enfisematosa, una enfermedad poco fre cuente en una paciente sin ninguno de los factores de riesgo clásicos para esta entidad. Los cultivos de orina y sangre fueron positivos para Escherichia coli sensible al antibiótico empírico por lo que se continuó para completar 7 días de tratamiento. La evolución clínica fue favorable.

Abstract An 82-year-old woman with a previous medical his tory of hypertension and hypothyroidism was admitted to the emergency department for abdominal pain, dia rrhea, confusion and changes in her overall condition over several days. At the emergency department, the patient was febrile and her blood tests showed elevated C-reactive protein without leukocytosis (8.9 × 10[PRESERVECIRC]9/L). In the current context, a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS was performed and was negative. With these results, the initial suspicion was that of an infectious condi tion of gastrointestinal origin. The urine sample was foul-smelling with presence of leukocytes and nitrites and was sent out for culture. In the setting of probable urinary tract infection, empirical antibiotic treatment was started with a third generation cephalosporin. It was decided to perform a total body scanner in order to evaluate the presence of other infectious foci. The study described the presence of emphysematous cystitis, a rare pathology in a patient without any of the classic risk factors for this entity. Urine and blood cultures were positive for Escherichia coli sensitive to the empiric antibiotic which was continued to complete 7 days. The clinical course was favorable.

[Emphysematous cystitis: an uncommon cause of abdominal pain]. / Cistitis enfisematosa: una causa poco frecuente de dolor abdominal.

An 82-year-old woman with a previous medical history of hypertension and hypothyroidism was admitted to the emergency department for abdominal pain, diarrhea, confusion and changes in her overall condition over several days. At the emergency department, the patient was febrile and her blood tests showed elevated C-reactive protein without leukocytosis (8.9 × 10^9/L). In the current context, a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS was performed and was negative. With these results, the initial suspicion was that of an infectious condition of gastrointestinal origin. The urine sample was oul-smelling with presence of leukocytes and nitrites and was sent out for culture. In the setting of probable urinary tract infection, empirical antibiotic treatment was started with a third generation cephalosporin. It was decided to perform a total body scanner in order to evaluate the presence of other infectious foci. The study described the presence of emphysematous cystitis, a rare pathology in a patient without any of the classic risk factors for this entity. Urine and blood cultures were positive for Escherichia coli sensitive to the empiric antibiotic which was continued to complete 7 days. The clinical course was favorable.

Una mujer de 82 años con antecedentes de hipertensión arterial e hipotiroidismo acudió al servicio de urgencias por dolor abdominal, diarrea, confusión y deterioro de su estado general de varios días de evolución. A su admisión, la paciente se encontraba febril y la analítica mostró una elevación de la proteína C reactiva sin leucocitosis (8.9 × 10

Haemothorax in a Pregnant Woman Secondary to Rupture of a Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are abnormal communications between the arteries and veins of the pulmonary vasculature leading to a right-to-left shunt. We report the case of a pregnant patient who presented with chest pain revealing a haemothorax secondary to the rupture of an arteriovenous malformation. The diagnosis was made during arteriography after simultaneous performance of an urgent caesarean section and thoracic drainage. LEARNING POINTS: The rupture of a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation in a pregnant patient is a serious and potentially life-threatening event, especially if it is not diagnosed quickly.It is crucial to use whatever imaging test is available whether ionizing or non-ionizing, as no thoracic imaging has been shown to adversely affect the fetus beyond embryogenesis.It is important for emergency doctors to consider this life-threatening condition in the differential diagnosis of atypical chest pain in pregnant women.

Severe Hydrocephalus due to Obstructive Basilar Dolichoectasia of the Third Ventricle.

Vertebro-basilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a rare pathology of unknown aetiology. Its clinical presentation is wide and prognosis is generally poor with a high mortality rate. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard for diagnosis. We report an unusual case of intracranial dolichoectasia. VBD was revealed during investigation of a patient with altered mental status. CT brain imaging demonstrated severe obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to compression of the third ventricle. Management is always challenging and depends on the location and the mode of presentation. Our patient died despite surgical management with placement of an external ventricular shunt. LEARNING POINTS: Vertebro-basilar dolichoectasia is a little known cause of altered mental status in elderly patients.An atypical presentation of vertebro-basilar dolichoectasia can mimic extensive cerebrovascular haemorrhage.The prognosis is poor despite prompt diagnosis and the surgical treatment of choice.

Spinal Cord Compression Secondary to a Spontaneous Cervical Epidural Haematoma.

We report the case of an 86-year-old female patient with chronic neck pain who presented with an initial misleading clinical picture suggesting an ischaemic stroke. No recent or previous anticoagulation treatment or fall history was reported. The patient developed a paraplegia of the upper limbs needing magnetic resonance imaging which revealed a compressive cervical haematoma. The patient benefitted from cervical laminectomy and evacuation of the cervical haematoma. Motricity in upper extremities was recovered but paresis in the lower extremities persisted 1 week after surgical intervention. LEARNING POINTS: Insidious spontaneous cervical haematoma can mimic ischaemic stroke.Early recognition and treatment of cervical haematoma can improve prognosis.

An Unusual Case of Acute Dyspnoea: Acute Intrathoracic Gastric Volvulus with Probable Tension Gastrothorax.

Acute gastric volvulus is a rare complication affecting 4% of hiatal hernias. It is described as an abnormal rotation of the stomach around a transverse or longitudinal axis and can be intra-abdominal or intrathoracic. Intrathoracic gastric volvulus can lead to tension gastrothorax, which is defined as the presence of a massive gastric distension in the chest cavity causing a mediastinal shift with haemodynamic instability and a risk of cardiorespiratory arrest. We report a case of intrathoracic gastric volvulus with probable tension gastrothorax. Early diagnosis of gastrothorax with computed tomography and immediate insertion of a nasogastric tube resulted in rapid clinical improvement. Surgical intervention is the treatment of choice. LEARNING POINTS: Tension gastrothorax should be suspected in the presence of abdominal and chest pain, vomiting and haemodynamic instability.Prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Measles-induced Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in a Non-vaccinated Patient.

We reported a case of measles-induced acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in a 40-year-old immunocompetent adult. The patient presented a week after the development of respiratory symptoms and a cutaneous rash, and was admitted to hospital for altered mental status. Blood tests showed hyperleukocytosis, thrombopenia and cytolysis. A lumbar puncture was consistent with acute meningitis and the patient was initially treated with antiviral and wide broad-spectrum antibiotics. Serology and PCR for measles came back positive. LEARNING POINTS: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) associated with measles infection is not uncommon.Clinical suspicion must be based on the presence of measles infection or recent vaccination.A normal CT scan does not rule out the disease but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not required to confirm the diagnosis.

Abrupt Severe Chest Pain and Vomiting: Remember to Think of a Ruptured Oesophagus (Boerhaave Syndrome).

Boerhaave syndrome or spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus is a severe condition commonly misdiagnosed or unrecognized. Prognosis is poor even if the diagnosis is made promptly. We describe a case of Boerhaave syndrome diagnosed after the development of pneumomediastinum and cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, the patient died 48 hours after admission to the Intensive Care Unit. This entity requires a multidisciplinary management approach which may include conservative, surgical or endoscopic procedures. LEARNING POINTS: Boerhaave syndrome is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, and rapid diagnosis and management are crucial.A thoraco-abdominal CT scan with oesophageal opacification is the gold standard investigation.A multidisciplinary and individualized approach is needed in the management of this condition.

A Rare Case of Adult Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis Associated with Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection.

We report a rare case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) secondary to a primary Epstein-Barr (EBV) infection, in a 22-year-old male. Symptomatic infectious mononucleosis and ADEM are both quite uncommon conditions in this age group. LEARNING POINTS: ADEM is a very rare CNS disorder; it is more common in childhood but can also be described in adults.The clinical evaluation must focus on the presence of recent signs of infection or vaccination.A normal cerebral scan does not rule out the disease and MRI must be performed to confirm the diagnoses.

Rare Case of Ischaemic Stroke Following Cervical Transforaminal Injection.

We report a case of brainstem infarction following a C5-C6 cervical transforaminal injection, a rare and serious neurological complication of this procedure. Cervical transforaminal steroid injection is a common therapy for patients with persistent cervical radiculopathy not relieved by conservative treatment, and is effective in 65-70% of cases. Unfortunately, this procedure may lead to serious complications such as neurological damage. These complications are rare but potentially fatal, as reported in our case. Complications could be due to three mechanisms: the technique itself, the cervical vascular anatomy and the properties of the product (corticoids). The neurological complications can be diagnosed through brain MRI. This case report focuses on the importance of a risk/benefit evaluation when performing this medical procedure. LEARNING POINTS: Physicians should be better informed about severe complications following cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injections and their strict indications.Severe adverse events are rare but they can be disastrous.Non-particulate corticosteroid should be used.