Ruptured Gastric Aneurysm in α-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.

We present a unique vascular complication of α-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) in a patient with an acute onset of epigastric pain and hemodynamic instability. Abdominal computed tomography angiography detected hemoperitoneum and hematoma within the gastrohepatic ligament with active extravasation. Abdominal angiography revealed left gastric aneurysms. An association between AATD and vascular aneurysms has been suggested to be secondary to unopposed proteolytic activity against arterial structural proteins. The aneurysm formation in aortic, superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric, and splenic arteries has been reported. We report the first case with ruptured gastric artery aneurysm as a complication of AATD.

A regional pre-pregnancy care (PPC) programme for women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Unfortunately the risks associated with pregnancy in a woman with Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) continue to be high. However these risks can be reduced significantly with pregnancy planning and pre-pregnancy care. We report here the establishment of a regional pre pregnancy service and the interim results of its benefits. Pre pregnancy care is as vital as combined diabetes antenatal care for women with diabetes and must become the norm for this population.

ATLANTIC DIP: pregnancy outcomes for women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

ATLANTIC DIP prospectively evaluated the perinatal and maternal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes during 2006/2007 in 5 antenatal centres. All women with established diabetes for at least 6 months prior to the index pregnancy and booking for antenatal care between 1/1/2006 and 31/12/2007 were included in the study. Results were collected electronically via the DIAMOND Diabetes Information System. Pregnancy outcome was compared with that of the background population receiving antenatal care in the region during the same time. There were 104 singleton pregnancies during the period of study. The stillbirth rate (SBR) of 25/1000 was 5 times greater than that reported in the background population at 5/1000 and the perinatal mortality rate (PMR) of 25/1000 was 3.5 times greater than background 7/1000. The congenital malformation rate (CMR) of 24/1000 was twice that observed in the background population. Women were not well prepared for pregnancy with 28% receiving pre pregnancy care (PPC), 43% receiving pre pregnancy folic acid and 51% achieving a HbA1C < = 7% at first antenatal visit. Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and/or pre eclampsia toxaemia (PET) were three times more common than in women in the background population. In conclusion women are not well prepared for pregnancy. Maternal and infant morbidity and infant mortality are greater in women with diabetes. A regional pre pregnancy care (PPC) programme and centralised glucose management are urgently needed.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma manifesting as acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma initially appears with intrathoracic manifestations in up to 26% of patients. However, pulmonary involvement with hematologic malignancies rarely manifests clinically as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We report a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma manifesting as ARDS in a 39-year-old Filipina woman. This case illustrates the importance of including lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of otherwise unexplained ARDS. Early recognition and prompt treatment may affect survival.